ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7657ProclamationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 7657

To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act With Respect to the Republic of The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo

President George W. Bush designated The Gambia as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, granting it preferential trade benefits including lesser-developed country status for apparel. The Democratic Republic of Congo was designated as an eligible sub-Saharan African country, with authority delegated to the USTR to complete DROC's beneficiary designation and implement tariff schedule modifications.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 15921

Impact dates

  1. HTS modification effective for articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption

  2. USTR Federal Register notice exercising authority for DROC

Key directives

  • Designate The Gambia as eligible and beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • Designate DROC as eligible sub-Saharan African country
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) to include Republic of The Gambia
  • Authorize USTR to exercise presidential authority under section 506A(a)(1) for DROC
  • Authorize USTR to exercise presidential authority under section 604 for HTS modifications re DROC
  • USTR shall announce exercise of authority in Federal Register notice
  • Designate The Gambia as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • Provide that DROC would be lesser developed beneficiary upon beneficiary designation
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • The Gambia designated as beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • DROC designated as eligible sub-Saharan African country
  • HTS general note 16(a) modified to include The Gambia

Near term (90d)

  • USTR to publish Federal Register notice exercising authority for DROC beneficiary designation
  • HTS modifications for DROC upon USTR action

Long term

  • Ongoing preferential trade access for The Gambia under AGOA
  • Potential expanded apparel trade benefits if DROC completes beneficiary designation

Risks & tensions

  • DROC designation is partial—full beneficiary status contingent on subsequent USTR action, creating procedural uncertainty
  • Document references but does not specify exact effective date, tying it to Federal Register publication timing
  • Lesser-developed status for DROC is conditional ('if designated'), creating potential gap between eligibility and full benefits
Proclamation 7657: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act With Respect to the Republic of The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo · Executive Orders