In a letter to Congress, President Donald Trump said unless Rwanda backpedals on its stance on U.S. exports under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), their duty-free status has 60-days to end.
Rwanda Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Munyeshyaka has said that the ban of importation of second-hand clothes commonly known as Caguwa will not affect people’s jobs as the country has invested in the promotion of the industrial sector which provides many employment opportunities to the general public.
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney in remarks over the suspension of Rwanda said: “The President’s determinations underscores his commitment to enforcing our trade laws and ensuring fairness in our trade relationships.
He added: I commend Tanzania and Uganda for taking corrective steps to address the United States’ concerns. We have and will continue to work with Rwanda to resolve this situation.
East African nations announced in 2016 they would phase out imports of second-hand clothing and shoes by 2019 to protect regional industries from competition.
