The Kenya - United States Trade and Investment Partnership | In negotiation
External Articles & Documents
to follow
On 6 February 2020, (former) US President Trump announced that the United States intends to initiate trade agreement negotiations with the Republic of Kenya following a meeting at the White House with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. The announcement came while the US-Kenya Trade and Investment Working Group held its third meeting in Washington (see inaugural meeting, second meeting) - having been established earlier by President Trump and President Kenyatta in August 2018 in order to lay the groundwork for a stronger bilateral trade relationship.
The bilateral negotiations initially commenced on July 7, 2020 (see joint statement).
See Federal Register notice: Request for comments on matters relevant to specified trade areas, including U.S. interests and priorities, in order to develop objectives and positions for enhanced engagement and subsequent negotiation (Submission deadline: 16 September 2022).
During a virtual meeting on July 14, 2022, the United States Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, and Kenya's Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary, Betty Maina, launched the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP).
The charts below provide some broad background data context to current Kenya-US trade in goods; followed by a selection of recent international news updates and documents on the topic.
Follow the ongoing US-Kenya FTA developments here.
For the Kenya country section here on AGOA.info: Click here
Please scroll down for relevant news articles relating to the proposed US-Kenya FTA, as well as a range of relevant documents, such as the negotiating principles, a US-Kenya FTA/AGOA trade brochure, and others.
Trade data covering two-way trade between Kenya and the United States can be viewed in the relevant charts. To activate / deactivate a data series, simply click on the relevant series year in the relevant chart legend.
Selection of documents and articles
to follow
...
View a selection of related documents
US Strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa (2022)
Sub-Saharan Africa is critical to advancing our global priorities. It has one of the world’s fastest growing populations, largest free trade areas, most diverse ecosystems, and one of the largest regional voting groups in the United Nations (UN). It is impossible to meet this era’s defining challenges without African contributions and leadership. The region will factor prominently in efforts to: end the COVID-19 pandemic; tackle the...
Federal Register Notice: U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
On July 14, 2022, the United States and Kenya launched the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP). Under this initiative the two governments will pursue enhanced engagement leading to high standard commitments in a wide range of areas with a view to increasing investment; promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefiting workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized...
US-Kenya trade negotiations: implications for the future of the US-Africa trade relationship
In February 2020, the United States and the Republic of Kenya announced the launch of negotiations to conclude a comprehensive and reciprocal free trade agreement (FTA) that would be the first of its kind between the United States and a sub-Saharan African country. The negotiations, announced by U.S. President Trump and Kenya’s President Kenyatta, marked an important development in recent U.S. engagement with Africa and, if successful, would...
Brochure | Kenya-United States FTA
Information brochure on the proposed US-Kenya FTA, including trade data and negotiating principles. Double-sided A4. For printing purposes, set 'fit to page' on your printer.
Kenya private sector consortium comments on the FTA objectives
These comments are submitted in response to the open invitation by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development to submit comments to enrich the Kenya-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations. The Private Sector Consortium is a working group setup purely to provide private sector input to the FTA. The Consortium comprises of representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya, the Kenya...
Kenya's US FTA negotiating principles - June 2020
Kenya and the US, in February 2020 jointly announced their intent to initiate negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between themselves. Towards this end, the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development having consulted and heard from from various stakeholders developed Negotiating Objectives and Principles to guide the negotiations for this first bilateral FTA between Kenya and the US. This is now made available for...
The US-Kenya FTA: insights into the bilateral trade relationship and early progress on setting terms for an FTA
On 6 February 2020, US President Donald Trump announced the United States’ intention to initiate negotiations with Kenya on a bilateral Free Trade Area (FTA). This followed a meeting between President Trump and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the White House during a state visit by Kenyatta to the US. An FTA between the US and any country would be noteworthy, but even more so when it potentially involves the first country in...
US FTA negotiating principles (Kenya FTA) - May 2020
On March 17, 2020, the Trump Administration notified Congress that the President intends to negotiate a trade agreement with the Republic of Kenya, in accordance with section 105(a)(1)(A) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act). This notification was made following a February 6, 2020, meeting at the White House between President Trump and Kenyan President...
US Trade and investment with Sub-Saharan Africa: Recent developments 2020 Report
This report provides information on U.S. trade and investment with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In particular, it analyzes the sectors in which U.S. trade in goods and services with SSA showed the strongest growth during 2016–18; identifies SSA countries for which U.S. exports, imports, and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) increased the most during the period; and highlights the main factors behind this growth. Focusing on several SSA...
2019 US National trade estimate report on foreign trade barriers
The 2019 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) is the 34th in an annual series that highlights significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports, U.S. foreign direct investment, and U.S. electronic commerce. This document is a companion piece to the President’s 2019 Trade Policy Agenda and 2018 Annual Report, published by Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in March.
Brochure - AGOA performance and country profile of Kenya [Updated 2021]
An overview of Kenya's participation and utilisation of AGOA preferences since the year 2000, including relevant trade data and country-specific sector-focus. Includes profile of US exports to Ethiopia. Double-sided A4 brochure. For printing, set 'fit to page'. Updated in Q3/2021, including trade data to end 2020
Kenya - National AGOA Strategy 2018-2023
Prepared by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives with support from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. The Kenya National African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Strategy and Action Plan (2018 – 2023) provides strategies and actions for increasing exports to the United States (U.S.) informed by an analysis of identified priority sectors. The overall approach...
View related news articles
US and Kenya to hold first negotiating round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
The United States and Kenya will hold an in-person negotiating round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Kenya from April 17-20, 2023. The United States delegation will be led by Assistant United States Trade Representative Connie Hamilton, and will include representatives from several other U.S. government agencies. Conceptual discussions under the STIP initiative were held in Washington, DC, on February...
15 March 2023
Pressure mounts on Biden over Trump-era Kenya-US trade deal
One of the biggest and most influential US business lobby groups in America and a top American lawmaker on trade have urged the Biden administration to fast-track the Trump-era trade talks with Kenya, piling pressure on Washington to conclude the negotiations. They also want Washington to dialogue with Nairobi on the basis of the original or initial proposed model of a free trade agreement with Kenya, which was initiated by Biden's...
15 March 2023
Kenya and US complete first round of trade talks
Kenya and the United States have concluded the first round of Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) that will form a basis for future bilateral engagements. The Kenyan delegation, led by Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, hope that the five-day talks on the free trade agreement will bear fruits. The government has been scouting for areas of collaboration that will increase foreign direct investment, promote sustainable...
13 February 2023
Transparent, participatory process needed for US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
U.S. and Kenyan officials are meeting this week in Washington for the first negotiating round of the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP). Public Citizen submitted recommendations for the U.S.-Kenya negotiations to USTR as part of its public comment process last year. Melinda St. Louis, Global Trade Watch director at Public Citizen, issued the following statement: “The U.S. and Kenyan governments...
08 February 2023
Kenyan and US officials to hold discussions on Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
Trade representatives from Kenya and the US are set to hold an in-person first round of conceptual discussions under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Washington, DC, from February 6th to 10th. The US delegation will be led by Assistant Trade Representative Connie Hamilton and will include representatives from several other government agencies, the Office of the US Trade Representative said in a press release. The two...
06 February 2023
US and Kenya to hold first round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP)
The United States and Kenya will hold an in-person round of conceptual discussions under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Washington, DC, from February 6-10, 2023. The United States delegation will be led by Assistant United States Trade Representative Connie Hamilton, and will include representatives from several other government agencies. United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and then-Kenyan...
04 February 2023
Kenyan manufacturers eye US market in growth plan
Manufactures in Kenya are banking on the pending trade deal with the US to grow the sectors’ contribution to the GDP and create jobs. The sector targets a 20 per cent contribution to economy by 2030. This will be driven by an increase in production of high quality products that will help expand supply and grow exports, the Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) has said. “AGOA has provided a significant market for Kenya’s...
07 November 2022
US DOA leads trade delegation to Kenya as country embraces GM crops
Representatives from 32 United States agribusiness firms arrived in Kenya on October 30 as part of an American government delegation scouting for trade opportunities. The US food firms are looking for new and expanded markets in Kenya for their crops. Kenya currently faces food insecurity and also wants to seal a trade deal with Americas. Nairobi has been pressured by Washington to allow access to its genetically modified (GM) food and...
06 November 2022
Kenya President Ruto’s warm relationship with US likely to expedite trade deal
Kenya and the US will be taking another shot at the dragging trade talks with hopes of reaching a deal before the year 2025. This is when the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) lapses. AGOA eliminates import tariffs on goods from eligible African nations, with its coming to an end putting countries under pressure to secure a pact that will see them continue to enjoy preferential trade terms. President William Ruto’s warm...
04 November 2022
Kenya president Ruto: Country ready for more trade deals with the US
President Ruto has said Kenya is ready for more trade deals with the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program, which gives Kenya and 40 other sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for over 6,000 products. Ruto, who hosted a US delegation at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, said the country has plenty more to offer the United States as a trade partner. "Kenya largely exports apparel products to...
31 October 2022
US food firms to visit Kenya scouting for trade opportunities
Representatives from 32 US agribusiness firms are set to jet into Kenya on Sunday as part of an American government delegation scouting for trade opportunities. The US food firms are looking for new and expanded markets in Kenya for their crops. Kenya currently faces food insecurity and also wants to seal a trade deal with Americas. Nairobi has been pressured by Washington to allow access to its genetically modified (GM) food and crop...
29 October 2022