House Passes Africa and Haiti Trade Preference Programs

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed a three-year extension of preferential trade programs for sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti.  The legislation, passed by a strong bipartisan vote, lowered trading barriers for emerging economies.

Lawmakers voted 340-54 in favor of renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  They also passed the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act 345-45.

Both programs expired back in September.

The programs provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for a wide range of goods, including apparel, from Haiti and more than 30 African countries.  Both bills now head over to the Senate.

Politico said Representative Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri, said the U.S. still needs a much-longer-term extension of AGOA, but the current reauthorization provides a much-needed level of stability and certainty in the near term, so that Congress can continue to work on future reforms and strengthen a number of U.S. priorities in the African continent.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com