Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives for a United States-Republic of Kenya Trade Agreement

On March 23, 2020, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (85 FR 16450) Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives for a United States-Republic of Kenya Trade Agreement.

On March 17, 2020, the U.S Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intent to enter into negotiations with the Republic of Kenya (Kenya) for a U.S.-Kenya trade agreement. 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. You can provide comments in writing and orally at a public hearing. 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.

April 15, 2020 is the deadline for the submission of written comments and for written notification of your intent to testify, as well as a summary of your testimony at the public hearing.

On April 28, 2020: The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will hold a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m., in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20508.

The TPSC invites interested parties to submit comments and/or oral testimony to assist USTR as it develops negotiating objectives and positions for the agreement, including with regard to objectives identified in section 102 of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4201). In particular, the TPSC invites interested parties to comment on issues that USTR should address in the negotiations 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 United States and Kenya.

c. Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal or reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on articles traded with Kenya.

d. Treatment of specific goods (classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States or HTSUS) under the proposed agreement, including comments on the following:

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.