USTR initiates annual AGOA eligibility review
Summary:
This notice announces the initiation of the annual review of the eligibility of the sub-Saharan African countries to receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The AGOA Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (Subcommittee) is developing recommendations for the President on AGOA country eligibility for calendar year 2019.
The Subcommittee is requesting written public comments for this review and will conduct a public hearing on this matter.
The Subcommittee will consider the written comments, written testimony, and oral testimony in developing recommendations for the President. Comments received related to the child labor criteria also may be considered by the Secretary of Labor in the preparation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s report on child labor as required under the Trade Act of 1974.
This notice identifies the eligibility criteria that must be considered under AGOA, and lists those sub-Saharan African countries that are currently eligible for the benefits of AGOA and those that were ineligible for such benefits in 2018.
DATES:
August 1, 2018: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the August 16, 2018 public hearing, and for filing pre- hearing briefs, statements, or comments on sub-Saharan African countries’ AGOA eligibility.
August 16, 2018: The Subcommittee will convene a public hearing on AGOA country eligibility.
August 23, 2018: Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs, statements, or comments on this matter.
ADDRESSES:
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) strongly prefers electronic submissions made through the Federal eRulemaking portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the submission instructions in sections II and III below. The docket number is USTR–2018–0022. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395–3475.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For procedural questions, please contact Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395–3475. Direct all other questions to Alan Treat, Director for African Affairs, at (202) 395–9514.