Senators Coons, Inhofe introduce African Free Trade Initiative Act

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today introduced the African Free Trade Initiative Act, which would require the president to establish a plan to negotiate and enter into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in sub-Saharan Africa and would require the United States Trade Representative, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and USAID to coordinate and collaborate together on how to implement the goals established in the Free Trade Agreement plan. The legislation was also introduced as an amendment to the Trade Promotion Authority legislation currently being considered in the U.S. Senate.

"There is no continent with greater opportunity for partnership and growth in the 21st century than Africa," said Senator Coons. "I am hopeful that Congress will reauthorize AGOA for ten years, but during those next ten years, the economies of sub-Saharan Africa should also develop trade relationships that can benefit both African and American businesses. Trade agreements done right can benefit everybody involved by creating good jobs, raising wages, and raising standards, and this bipartisan legislation will ensure the Administration takes immediate steps to increase trade with Africa that is bilateral, duty-free, and beneficial for both countries."

"Every time I go to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania or other countries in Africa, I see new, high-quality infrastructure being built to help their economies grow," Inhofe said. "While the U.S. government generally ignores sub-Saharan Africa as a major potential trading partner, despite its economic advancements, countries like Brazil and China are aggressively pursuing business expansions in the region. As African economies mature in the 21st century, America should also mature its trade relationships with them. Our legislation requires the president to establish a plan to negotiate and enter into Free Trade Agreements with our friends in sub-Saharan Africa. For countries that need to further develop to be ready for an FTA with the U.S., our bill requires the administration to articulate specifically what needs to be achieved to accomplish the ultimate goal of an FTA. America will benefit greatly from Free Trade Agreements as we partner with and secure deeper ties to the bolstering and competitive economies in sub-Saharan Africa."

Coons and Inhofe have been longtime supporters of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), first enacted in 2000. The Coons-Inhofe amendment encourages the development of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between the United States and countries in sub-Saharan Africa in order to create bilateral, duty-free trade between the countries.

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