ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9974ProclamationTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 9974

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

This proclamation terminates Cameroon's beneficiary status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) effective January 1, 2020, due to failure to make continual progress on eligibility requirements. It also modifies tariff schedules for Israel's agricultural products through December 31, 2020, implements the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement tariff reductions, adjusts AGOA eligibility for Niger, Central African Republic, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, and updates rules of origin under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 72187

Impact dates

  1. Israel 2004 Agreement extension expires; subchapter VIII of chapter 99 HTS provisions expire

  2. U.S.-Chile FTA rules of origin modifications enter effect

  3. Cameroon AGOA termination effective; HTS modifications for AGOA countries effective; Israel agricultural tariff modifications effective

Key directives

  • Terminate Cameroon as AGOA beneficiary effective January 1, 2020
  • Delete Cameroon from HTS beneficiary country lists
  • Delete Niger, Central African Republic, and The Gambia from HTS beneficiary lists for section 112(a) treatment
  • Designate Guinea-Bissau and Niger as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under section 112(c)
  • Modify HTS to extend Israel agricultural duty-free access through December 31, 2020
  • Modify HTS to implement U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement tariff reductions
  • Transfer Japan's beef tariff-rate quota allocation to other countries
  • Modify HTS rules of origin for U.S.-Chile FTA effective April 1, 2020
  • Secretary of Treasury to issue regulations to implement Japan tariff modifications

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 26, 2019

Near term (90d)

  • Cameroon AGOA termination effective January 1, 2020
  • Israel agricultural tariff modifications effective January 1, 2020
  • Japan tariff modifications effective on dates specified in Annex II
  • HTS modifications for Niger, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau effective January 1, 2020

Long term

  • U.S.-Chile FTA rules of origin modifications enter effect April 1, 2020
  • Israel 2004 Agreement extension expires December 31, 2020

Risks & tensions

  • Cameroon termination may strain U.S.-Cameroon diplomatic relations
  • Japan tariff reduction timing depends on Annex II dates not fully specified in text
  • Trade agreement implementation relies on Secretary of Treasury regulatory action
  • AGOA eligibility changes create uncertainty for affected African exporters
Proclamation 9974: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders