On October 31, 2023, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the intent to reinstate Mauritania’s trade preference program eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), effective January 1, 2024. In addition, Gabon, Niger, the Central African Republic, and Uganda will have their AGOA eligibility terminated, also effective January 1, 2024. 

Ambassador Katherine Tai stated in the press release, “Absent urgent changes, these four countries are set to be removed from the program due to actions taken by their governments that are inconsistent with the AGOA eligibility criteria.”

USTR’s press release can be found here:

 https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2023/october/statement-ambassador-katherine-tai-african-growth-and-opportunity-act-eligibility-review

President Biden’s letter of intent can be found here:

 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/letters-to-the-speaker-of-the-house-and-president-of-the-senate-on-intent-to-terminate-the-designation-of-the-central-african-republic-the-gabonese-republic-niger-and-the-republic-of-uganda-as-bene/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20I%20intend%20to%20terminate,JOSEPH%20R.%20BIDEN%20JR.