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Four African countries will no longer have access to the trade facilitation program for their exports to the United States. These countries are Niger, Gabon, Uganda, and the Central African Republic.
Gabon and Niger, both located in West Africa, had their cooperation with the United States suspended due to political turmoil resulting from coup d’états. According to President Joe Biden, they had made no progress toward political pluralism and the rule of law.
In the case of the Central African Republic, Washington alleges gross violations of human rights and labor rights. Uganda is accused of severe violations of international human rights. In May of the previous year, the United States had openly condemned the adoption of legislation punishing homosexuality, warning that relations with Kampala would need to be reviewed.
The U.S. administration maintains that none of the four countries in question responded to multiple requests related to these concerns. AGOA, which stands for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, grants eligible countries duty-free access to export their products to the United States.
In a letter addressed to the new Speaker of the House, President Joe Biden stipulates that these four African countries do not meet the required conditions to benefit from this program.
