America Plans to Exclude Gabon, Niger, Uganda, and Central African Republic from Trade Program

US President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he intends to end the participation of Gabon, Niger, Uganda, and the Central African Republic in the trade program known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Biden explained that this decision stems from "serious violations" of internationally recognized human rights by both the Central African Republic and Uganda. He attributed the situation regarding Niger and Gabon to their failure to establish or make continued progress toward protecting political pluralism and the rule of law. Biden stated in a letter to the Speaker of the House, "Despite extensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address the United States' concerns regarding their non-compliance with eligibility standards under the African Growth and Opportunity Act." He added that he plans to end the designation of these countries as beneficiaries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region under AGOA starting January 1, 2024. He continued that he will evaluate whether these countries meet the program's eligibility requirements. AGOA, launched in 2000, allows exports from eligible countries to access the US market duty-free. Its current authorization is set to expire in September 2025, but discussions are already underway about whether it will be extended and for how long.