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Joe Biden’s administration announced this Saturday, January 2, that it had excluded Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from Agoa, a trade agreement binding the United States to Africa. Washington has ruled that the actions taken by these three governments violate its principles.
« The United States today excluded Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from the Agoa trade preference program due to actions taken by each of their governments in violation of the statutes Of the agreement, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said in a statement.
L’African Growth and Opportunity Act (Africa Growth and Development Opportunities Act in French) is a trade agreement implemented in 2000 under the Clinton administration to facilitate and regulate trade between the United States and Africa.
Unconstitutional changes and human rights
« Biden-Harris administration deeply concerned about unconstitutional change in governments of Guinea and Mali “, Is it detailed.
In addition, the administration is worried about “ gross violations of internationally recognized human rights perpetrated by the Ethiopian government and other parties in the conflict that is spreading in northern Ethiopia “, It is specified.
« Each country has clear benchmarks for a path to reintegration and the administration will work with their governments to achieve this goal. Assures the USTR.
Under the Agoa Agreement, thousands of African products can benefit from import tax reductions. But this agreement is only possible subject to conditions fulfilled concerning human rights, good governance and the protection of workers as well as not to apply any customs ban on American products on their territory.
►Also read: Mali and Guinea’s exit from Agoa will have a low economic impact
(With AFP)
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