Blumenauer Opening Statement at Trade Subcommittee Hearing
(As prepared for delivery)
The African Growth and Opportunity Act, also known as AGOA, and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act, known as HOPE, are the cornerstone of U.S. trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti. The world, however, looks a lot different than it did when we enacted both programs decades ago.
We now have years of experience to help understand what’s working and what could be improved to raise living standards and bring more trade and investment to Africa and the Caribbean.
This hearing is the next step in the Committee’s ongoing review of U.S. preference programs for sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti. There is clear bipartisan consensus on promoting trade and investment with Africa and the Caribbean.
Then-Chairman Neal set a strong tone for reviewing and improving these programs last Congress. Chairman Jason Smith and Trade Subcommittee Charman Adrian Smith have continued the Committee’s engagement.
Their leadership is buttressed by several of my colleagues who have demonstrated continued commitment to Africa and Haiti, including Ms. Sewell, Ms. Moore, Mr. Evans, and Ms. Plaskett.
House Democrats have collectively shown an impenetrable commitment to the people of sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti and will pursue U.S. trade policies that advance prosperity for people in these regions.
I can confidently speak for House Democrats when I say we are firmly committed to reauthorizing AGOA and HOPE before their expiration in September 2025. But reauthorizing the programs without improving them would be a missed opportunity. The International Trade Commission’s reports on these programs demonstrated the urgent need for reform.
It is important that our trade policies not only address long-standing concerns – such as low utilization rates in AGOA and labor violations in Haiti – but also reflect the realities of today and pave the way for the future we want to see.
AGOA is a success story. It has opened new opportunities for economic engagement and has resulted in tens of thousands of jobs in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is critical Congress drives more investment to the continent, which create opportunities for businesses in both Africa and the United States, as well as for the larger diaspora.
But as proud as we are of AGOA’s achievements, it has not achieved all that we hoped. As we consider the future of AGOA, we need to find creative ways to improve AGOA’s utilization rates, increase value-added exports to the United States, and ensure that benefits in fact flow to the African beneficiary countries.
Africa has become a leader in addressing climate change, is the site of key critical minerals, and is quickly becoming a tech and innovation powerhouse. The creatives sector, including TV, film, and music are essential to the economies of the continent. Our U.S. – Africa trade policy must reflect these developments and make the most of these opportunities.
Our trade policies should recognize that certain African economies are more advanced and better integrated globally since AGOA was enacted – making it important to both consider AGOA graduation rules and developing mutually beneficial and reciprocal trade agreements with other Sub-Saharan countries.
Like Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States has a moral obligation to remain committed to the Haitian people. That obligation is more important now than ever.
Haiti played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War where hundreds of Haitians fought for America's independence. And years later, Haiti would defeat the French and become the first Black Republic influencing the rise of abolitionist and anti-colonial movements all over the world, including in the United States.
Haiti's sacrifices and unyielding resolve continue to inspire millions. Today, Haiti is in a crisis and in urgent need of U.S. support. Besides the immediate security and governance crisis, there are significant challenges regarding poverty and corruption. Many of Haiti’s difficulties are because of failures of American policy.
That is why our preference programs for Haiti are so important—they provide an opportunity to help strengthen Haiti's economy and our trading relationship.
But we must address known problems with the implementation of our preference programs, especially concerning labor rights violations and noncompliance with Haiti’s national labor laws.
The United States has selectively engaged in this space on issues like forced labor in the sugar sector but there is much more to do.
Like any trading relationship, our relationship with Haiti requires work on both sides – work to improve labor conditions, political stability, and diversify Haiti’s exports to the United States.
I am hopeful today’s hearing will spark a conversation on how best to tackle those challenges together. Thank you.
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