WASHINGTON— Three African countries will be terminated from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from Jan 1, 2022, US President Joe Biden said.

A statement issued by the office of the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai reads, “Today President Biden announced three Countries will be terminated from the AGOA trade program as of January 1st 2022.”

“Our administration is deeply concerned by the unconstitutional changes in Government in both Mali and Guinea and by the gross violations of internationally recognized human rights being perpetrated by the Government of Ethiopia and other parties amid widening conflict in northern Ethiopia.”

Biden says these countries will be removed from the program due to actions taken by their governments in violation of the AGOA statute.

“The United States urges these governments to take necessary actions to meet the statutory criteria so that we can resume our valued trading partnerships.”

Biden says he will provide each country with clear benchmark for a pathway towards reinstatement saying his administration will work with them towards achieving the objective.

AGOA is a United States Trade Act, enacted on May 18, 2000 and renewed to 2025 that significantly enhances market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK