ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8330ProclamationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 8330

To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Generalized System of Preferences

This proclamation terminates Mauritania's trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) effective January 1, 2009, due to failure to meet eligibility requirements, while simultaneously designating Kosovo and Azerbaijan as beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program effective February 1, 2009.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 78913

Impact dates

  1. Kosovo and Azerbaijan GSP designations effective for articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption; HTS modifications adding both countries to general note 4(a)

  2. Mauritania AGOA termination takes effect; HTS modification deleting Mauritania from general note 16(a)

Key directives

  • Terminate Mauritania's designation as beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA effective January 1, 2009
  • Delete Mauritania from HTS general note 16(a)
  • Designate Kosovo as GSP beneficiary developing country
  • Add Kosovo to HTS general note 4(a) effective February 1, 2009
  • Designate Azerbaijan as GSP beneficiary developing country
  • Add Azerbaijan to HTS general note 4(a) effective February 1, 2009
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 19, 2008

Near term (90d)

  • Mauritania AGOA benefits terminate January 1, 2009
  • Kosovo and Azerbaijan GSP benefits begin February 1, 2009

Long term

  • Continued monitoring of Mauritania's progress for potential future reinstatement
  • Ongoing trade preference eligibility for Kosovo and Azerbaijan subject to periodic review

Risks & tensions

  • Mauritania's removal from AGOA may strain U.S.-Mauritania bilateral relations
  • Kosovo designation in 2008 is notable given its contested sovereignty status (declared independence February 2008)
  • Azerbaijan's GSP designation occurs amid ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dynamics
  • Supersession clause in paragraph (7) is broad but unspecified—exact scope of superseded prior instruments unclear
Proclamation 8330: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Generalized System of Preferences · Executive Orders