LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
SIMON BARBER: US getting its second-hand knickers in a knot
THE office of the US trade representative is conducting its annual review of African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) beneficiaries to see if any are out of compliance with the act’s conditions. In 2015, SA was in the crosshairs for being difficult about American chicken, pork and beef. In 2016 the focus is on Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi as members of the East African Community (EAC). The problem is previously owned underpants and other such items. EAC leaders agreed in February to phase in a ban on imports of used American and other rich-country clothing by 2019. Four have since announced tariff increases. The aim, Rwandan President Paul Kagame explained in a speech to Yale students in September, was "to build our manufacturing base and also, importantly, to fight the mind-set that we are people who should be satisfied with second-hand things". The Washington trade association that stands up for exporters of donated hand-me-downs calls itself Smart, an acronym for ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.