ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7350ProclamationClinton · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 7350

To Implement the African Growth and Opportunity Act and To Designate Eritrea as a Beneficiary Developing Country for Purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences

This proclamation implements the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by designating 34 sub-Saharan African countries as beneficiary countries eligible for preferential trade treatment, including duty-free entry of textile and apparel articles. It also authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to make determinations about countries' compliance with anti-transshipment requirements and to eliminate quotas for Kenya and Mauritius, and designates Eritrea as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 59321

Impact dates

  1. Quota elimination on textile and apparel articles from Kenya/Mauritius after USTR determination

  2. Proclamation effective date

Key directives

  • Designate 34 sub-Saharan African countries as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under AGOA
  • Designate 28 countries as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
  • Authorize USTR to determine compliance with anti-transshipment requirements and publish findings in Federal Register
  • Authorize USTR to determine Kenya and Mauritius visa system compliance and eliminate quotas within 30 days of such determination
  • Authorize USTR to determine effective date of Sierra Leone designation
  • Designate Eritrea as GSP beneficiary developing country
  • Modify HTS to reflect Eritrea GSP designation
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive orders

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation effective on signing date (October 2, 2000)
  • 34 countries designated as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
  • Eritrea designated as GSP beneficiary developing country
  • HTS modified to reflect Eritrea GSP designation

Near term (90d)

  • USTR determinations on country compliance with section 113(a) and 113(b)(1)(B) requirements
  • USTR determinations on Kenya and Mauritius visa system compliance
  • Quota elimination within 30 days of USTR determination for Kenya/Mauritius

Long term

  • Ongoing preferential trade treatment under AGOA
  • Potential expansion of beneficiary country list based on USTR determinations
  • Sierra Leone designation effective date to be determined by USTR

Risks & tensions

  • 30-day quota elimination timeline for Kenya/Mauritius is contingent on USTR determination, not automatic
  • USTR has discretionary authority over effective dates, creating uncertainty for Sierra Leone and HTS modifications
  • Anti-transshipment compliance requirements create enforcement burden and potential for trade disputes
  • Preferential treatment may face scrutiny from domestic textile producers concerned about import competition
Proclamation 7350: To Implement the African Growth and Opportunity Act and To Designate Eritrea as a Beneficiary Developing Country for Purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences · Executive Orders