ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7970ProclamationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 7970

To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

This proclamation designates Burundi as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, granting it preferential trade benefits including lesser developed country status for apparel imports. Simultaneously, it terminates Mauritania's beneficiary status effective January 1, 2006, due to failure to make continual progress on eligibility requirements, with corresponding modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 76647

Impact dates

  1. Mauritania beneficiary designation termination takes effect

  2. HTS modifications effective for articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption

Key directives

  • Designate Burundi as eligible sub-Saharan African country and beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) to add Republic of Burundi to beneficiary list
  • Designate Burundi as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for AGOA section 112(b)(3)(B) apparel benefits
  • Terminate Mauritania's beneficiary sub-Saharan African country designation effective January 1, 2006
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) to delete Islamic Republic of Mauritania from beneficiary list
  • Modify HTS U.S. note 2(d) to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 to remove Mauritania from lesser developed beneficiary list
  • HTS modifications effective for articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse on or after January 1, 2006
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of previous proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 22, 2005
  • Burundi designated as eligible and beneficiary country
  • Mauritania termination decision announced

Near term (90d)

  • January 1, 2006: Mauritania termination takes effect
  • January 1, 2006: HTS modifications effective for articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse

Long term

  • Burundi's continued AGOA benefits contingent on meeting ongoing eligibility requirements
  • Potential for future reviews of beneficiary country status under section 506A(a)(3)

Risks & tensions

  • Mauritania's termination may strain U.S.-Mauritania bilateral relations
  • Burundi's benefits are conditional on continued progress; future termination possible if eligibility lapses
  • Apparel-specific benefits for Burundi create competitive dynamics among AGOA beneficiary countries
  • Supersession clause in paragraph 7 is broad; scope of 'inconsistent' provisions unclear without cross-referencing
Proclamation 7970: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act · Executive Orders