The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on a proposed U.S.- Kenya trade agreement, including U.S. interests and priorities, in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions. Comments and requests to appear must be received by Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20508.
The Administration’s aim in negotiations with Kenya is to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve free, fair, and reciprocal trade. USTR requests that small businesses, generally defined by the Small Business Administration as firms with fewer than 500 employees, or organizations representing small business members, which submit comments to self-identify as such, so that it may be aware of issues of particular interest to small businesses. Interested parties may comment on issues including, but not limited to, the following:
a. General and product-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement.
b. Relevant barriers to trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Kenya that should be addressed in the negotiations.
c. Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal or reduction of tariffs and removal or reduction of non-tariff barriers on articles traded with Kenya.
d. Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on:
- i. Product-specific import or export interests or barriers.
- ii. Experience with particular measures that USTR should address in the negotiations.
- iii. Ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities in the context of the proposed agreement.
e. Fees, charges, and taxes affecting trade in goods and services between the United States and Kenya.
f.Customs and trade facilitation issues, including those related to pre-shipment inspection.
g. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade.
h. Transparency issues.
i. Other measures or practices, including those of third-country entities, which undermine fair market opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, and ranchers.
- Read the hearing notice here.
- Advocacy Contact: Rosalyn Steward at (202) 205-7013.