ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 10692ProclamationBiden · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 10692

To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes

This proclamation reinstates Mauritania as a beneficiary country under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and designates it as a lesser developed beneficiary country, while terminating AGOA benefits for the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda effective January 1, 2024. It also extends through December 31, 2024 the duty-free access for specified Israeli agricultural products under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 437

Impact dates

  1. Duty-free access for specified Israeli agricultural products expires unless further extended

  2. Termination of AGOA designations for Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda takes effect; HTS modifications effective for goods entered for consumption

Key directives

  • Designate Mauritania as beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA
  • Designate Mauritania as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • Terminate AGOA designations of Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda effective January 1, 2024
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) to add Mauritania and remove four terminated countries
  • Modify HTS notes for subchapter XIX of chapter 98 for lesser developed country status changes
  • Extend duty-free access for specified Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2024
  • Modify HTS per Annex I to implement tariff commitments under 2004 Agreement extension

Timeline

Immediate

  • Mauritania designated as AGOA beneficiary and lesser developed beneficiary country
  • Termination of AGOA status for Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications take effect January 1, 2024 for AGOA country changes
  • Israeli agricultural tariff modifications take effect per Annex I dates

Long term

  • Potential renegotiation of U.S.-Israel agricultural trade agreement to replace 2004 Agreement
  • Economic development impacts in Mauritania from restored AGOA access
  • Economic adjustment in four terminated countries from lost AGOA preferences

Risks & tensions

  • Economic disruption for exporters in Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda from sudden loss of preferential U.S. market access
  • Niger and Uganda terminations may raise human rights and governance questions given recent political developments
  • Mauritania's reinstatement follows prior termination for labor/human rights concerns; sustainability of reforms uncertain
  • Annual extension of Israel agricultural agreement since 2008 suggests prolonged negotiation difficulties for permanent replacement
  • Annex I effective dates unspecified in provided text
Proclamation 10692: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders