The future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a cornerstone of preferential trade access for African products to the U.S. market, hinges on a crucial debate in the U.S. Congress.
This was the message from U.S. diplomat Troy Fitrell, a senior official at the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, during an online press conference on Tuesday. Fitrell emphasized that any renewal of AGOA must reflect the evolving economic landscape on the African continent and foster aspirations for more balanced trade relationships.
“I am a strong supporter of AGOA. For 25 years, it has played an important role in my career,” Fitrell stated, acknowledging the program’s historical significance. However, he stressed that its continuation should incorporate a principle of reciprocity, noting that “if AGOA were to be renewed, I expect it to reflect the modern world rather than that of 25 years ago.”
Fitrell highlighted that while “several African countries have benefited tremendously from the provisions of AGOA,” the path forward requires a reevaluation of the partnership. He also pointed to ongoing negotiations between certain African states and the U.S. Trade Representative, the authority for trade discussions. He observed that African countries “with the most to lose” have been proactive in proposing “a very specific position” to build a more equitable trade relationship with Washington.
The diplomat also challenged African diplomats to increase their engagement in the renewal process. “When the African diplomatic corps here in Washington asked me the same question: What have you done to contribute to the renewal of AGOA? I reversed the question: ‘What have you done to contribute?’” he recounted. He asserted that future economic relations between the United States and the African continent will be founded on a mutually beneficial approach.
“Some African countries have specifically requested the establishment of free trade areas with the United States. This type of openness is something we respect and strongly encourage,” Fitrell concluded, signaling a potential shift towards bilateral agreements.
This call for recalibration comes as the Trump administration, since its return to the presidency in January 2025, has significantly altered U.S. trade dynamics with Africa, casting uncertainty over AGOA’s future. On April 2, the administration imposed a minimum tariff of 10 percent on all imports, escalating to as high as 50 percent for some African nations, with South Africa and Lesotho particularly affected.
Despite bipartisan proposals to extend AGOA until 2041, these did not receive White House support. Consequently, AGOA, which is set to expire in September 2025, is currently on hold, posing a threat to export industries in countries like Mauritius, Madagascar, and Botswana. Ambassador Fitrell’s remarks during his digital briefing reiterate the Trump administration’s preference for reciprocal bilateral agreements over a multilateral framework.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA