WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) released the following statement after hosting a bipartisan roundtable with Committee members and ambassadors from several African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) countries. AGOA is a U.S. trade program focused on strengthening economic ties between the United States and nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We appreciate the ambassadors from African countries in the AGOA program as well as members of the Ways and Means Committee for participating in this positive dialogue to highlight both the importance of securing strong trade and investment partnerships between our nations, as well as affirming our commitment to this program and its future success,” said Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal. “U.S. trade policy has proven to be an important avenue for bipartisan collaboration in Congress. The Ways and Means Committee continues to engage in a thoughtful process to ensure America’s trade relationships are fair and beneficial to American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses. We look forward to bringing that same level of commitment to the consideration of how best to renew the AGOA program and any potential reforms that are needed to improve outcomes and secure lasting and mutually productive trade relationships.”