AAFA Calls On Congress To Renew AGOA And Haiti Trade Programmes Before Expiration
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has urged Congress to immediately renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Haitian HOPE and HELP trade preference programmes ahead of their September 30, 2025 expiration.
For more than two decades, AGOA has provided eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access, strengthening U.S. exports in textiles and agriculture and fostering robust commercial partnerships across the continent. Similarly, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programmes have, for over 15 years, supported both U.S. and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products, reinforcing strong business ties between the two nations.
“These programmes safeguard American jobs while sustaining employment in sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti and promoting U.S. cotton and textile exports,” said AAFA Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy, Beth Hughes. “Renewing these programmes is an urgent, cost-effective and bipartisan solution that preserves American competitiveness while supporting growth abroad.”
AAFA President and CEO Stephen Lamar added, “These programmes benefit American companies, workers and the economy while maintaining U.S. influence in key global regions. Allowing them to lapse would cede economic and strategic influence to others.”
AAFA has actively advocated for the renewal of both programmes, including testimony before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on AGOA in July and before the International Trade Commission on Haiti HOPE/HELP in February.
