The announcement sees the restoration of the critical trade preference programs that lapsed on 30 September 2025.
For 25 years, AGOA has provided eligible Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access, strengthening American exports in textiles and agriculture and fostering a wide array of US–Africa commercial partnerships. Likewise, for more than 15 years, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programs have supported both US and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products, building strong business ties between the two neighbouring nations.
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This initiative provides qualifying sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free entry to the US market for over 1,800 products, in addition to more than 5,000 goods included under the Generalised System of Preferences.
AGOA sets strict eligibility requirements related to governance, anti-corruption measures, human rights, and market access. In 2024, 32 countries met the requirements to receive AGOA benefits.
The HOPE/HELP programme provides trade preferences for textile and apparel products from Haiti.
Supporters argue that maintaining this access is important for stabilising Haiti’s apparel sector amid ongoing political challenges and for addressing security concerns related to instability in a country located less than 700 miles from the US.
Renewal is also seen as consistent with American trade priorities focused on nearshoring and onshoring.
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By GlobalData“The industry welcomes this long-awaited renewal. While the retroactive nature of this passage supports the industry on time lost, proactive and long-term renewal is what is needed for predictability, investment, and economic viability to support the US jobs anchored by these programs,” said Beth Hughes, AAFA’s Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy. “We look forward to immediately working with Congress and the Administration on this approach to ensure these programs are timely renewed well before their expiration on 31 December 2026.”
