ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9687ProclamationTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 9687

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

This proclamation reinstates The Gambia and Swaziland as beneficiary countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extends duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2018, makes technical modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement CAFTA-DR obligations and correct prior omissions, suspends certain GSP benefits for Ukraine due to intellectual property concerns, and reinstates Argentina's GSP beneficiary status.

Federal Register Open PDF 82 FR 61413

Impact dates

  1. Israel agricultural agreement extension expires

  2. Ukraine GSP suspension effective (120 days after Federal Register publication)

  3. HTS chapter 21 modifications effective (30 days after Federal Register publication)

  4. Israeli agricultural duty-free access effective; Argentina GSP reinstatement effective; pharmaceuticals HTS modifications effective

  5. Retroactive effective date for IT products HTS modification (subheading 9030.33.34)

Key directives

  • Designate The Gambia and Swaziland as AGOA beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) and related notes to add The Gambia and Swaziland
  • Extend duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2018
  • Modify HTS to implement CAFTA-DR rule changes and technical corrections
  • Suspend GSP duty-free treatment for certain Ukrainian articles
  • Terminate suspension of Argentina's GSP beneficiary developing country designation
  • Correct inadvertent omissions in pharmaceuticals appendix and IT products annex

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Designation of The Gambia and Swaziland as AGOA beneficiary countries effective
  • Argentina GSP reinstatement effective January 1, 2018
  • Israeli agricultural duty-free access effective January 1, 2018

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications for Ukraine GSP suspension take effect 120 days after Federal Register publication
  • HTS technical corrections (chapter 21) effective 30 days after Federal Register publication

Long term

  • Israel agricultural agreement expires December 31, 2018 unless extended
  • CAFTA-DR modifications effective upon USTR announcement of fulfilled conditions

Risks & tensions

  • Ukraine GSP suspension tied to intellectual property protection may strain bilateral trade relations
  • Retroactive effective date to July 1, 2016 for IT products modification raises potential customs refund/compliance complexity
  • CAFTA-DR modifications contingent on USTR announcement of fulfilled conditions, creating implementation uncertainty
Proclamation 9687: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders