WASHINGTON, D.C. – America’s strategic, economic, and national security interests will be strengthened and better protected under the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and HOPE/HELP for Haiti trade programs that recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. AGOA – arguably the gold standard when it comes to America’s trade policies due to its stringent eligibility criteria and requirement that participating nations do not undermine America’s national security or foreign policy interests – is the foundation of U.S trade policy in Africa, helping to ensure America’s access to critical minerals and countering the economic coercion and exploitation perpetrated by China and Russia on the continent. HOPE/HELP provides an economic lifeline for Haiti – a nation that has endured decades of humanitarian crises – creating more stability in the Western Hemisphere and nearshoring more U.S. supply chains to the benefit of American workers and businesses.

Organizations and entities advocating on behalf of protecting America’s reliable trading partnerships and supply chains in Africa and Haiti and promoting U.S. economic interests at home and abroad are speaking out in support of the AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6500) and Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (H.R. 6504).

AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6500)
Renews the African Growth and Opportunity Act for three years – providing needed certainty for market access, maintaining critical supply chains including access to critical minerals over China, and allowing time for Congress to work on additional reforms as part of a long-term AGOA renewal.

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), National Retail Federation (NRF), Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)

“AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP enjoy strong bipartisan backing, support American cotton and textile exports, provide U.S. businesses with smart, practical strategies to diversify sourcing outside of China, and directly support 3.6 million American workers.” – AAFA, FDRA, NRF, OIA, RILA, and USFIA

National Taxpayers Union (NTU)

“This win-win bill would help secure affordable supplies of goods desired by Americans, including rare earth minerals that are increasingly needed by U.S. manufacturers. This bill would strengthen U.S. economic ties in the region, encourage economic growth, and promote new export opportunities for American producers.” – NTU

ONE

“We would like to thank the committee for their consideration of this important legislation and look forward to continuing to work with its members on enhancing economic partnership with Africa.” – ONE

Catalyst Brands

“AGOA has been supported for decades by overwhelming bipartisan majorities…The renewal of this program will provide much-needed certainty for U.S. companies and provide stability for the workforces in sub-Saharan Africa.” – Angela Marshall Hofmann, Vice President, Government Affairs, Legal Department, Catalyst Brands

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)

“Retailers applaud the House for reauthorizing AGOA and the Haiti HOPE/HELP Acts. These trade preference programs are critical tools to allow retailers to diversify their supply chains, support workers in the agricultural and apparel sectors, and deepen trade relations in important parts of the world.” – Sung Chang, Vice President, International Trade, RILA

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)

“…[P]rotecting the African and Haitian apparel and footwear industries strengthens the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, and its 3.6 million American workers, by opening markets for U.S. cotton and textile exports and advancing diversified sourcing goals. These programs promote stable, transparent supply chains while expanding economic opportunity.” – Beth Hughes, Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy, AAFA

Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)

“Every year, AGOA delivers close to a billion dollars in benefits to American consumers while also helping American companies be more competitive with global rivals and sustaining more than 300,000 jobs in the U.S., generating an estimated $1.8 billion in annual salaries.” – Florizelle B. Liser, President and CEO, CCA

Bread for the World

“On behalf of Bread for the World’s network of 300,000 supporters, we thank you for your interest in bringing a reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) up for a vote tomorrow. Bread has been thrilled to play a role in the creation of the original bill and has been a staunch, prayerful advocate for its reauthorization for years.” – Rev. Eugene Cho, President and CEO, Bread for the World

American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar (AMCHAM Madagascar)

“AGOA has been a vital framework for promoting mutually beneficial trade between the United States and Madagascar. It has strengthened key sectors-including apparel, agribusiness, and manufacturing- supported thousands of jobs, and contributed significantly to U.S.-Africa supply chain integration.” – Russel Joseph Kelly, President, AMCHAM Madagascar 

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (H.R. 6504)
Renews the HOPE/HELP programs for three years – promoting economic opportunity for the Haitian people, more stability in the region, and trade partnerships closer to home to the benefit of American economic and national security.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)

“…[F]or more than 15 years, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programs have supported both U.S. and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products, building strong business ties between the two neighboring nations.” – Beth Hughes, Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy, AAFA

National Taxpayers Union (NTU)

“This ensures American consumers will continue having access to a wide range of duty-free products while promoting economic growth in the Caribbean nation.” – NTU

Gap Inc.

“Gap Inc. strongly supports Congressional action to renew the Haiti HOPE/HELP program, which is vital to sustaining jobs, strengthening supply chains, and promoting economic stability in Haiti.” – Gap Inc.