AAFA Applauds Congressional Passage of Two-Year Extension of AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP Programs

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) celebrates the passage of a two-year extension of the Haiti Economic Lift Program and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the House with bipartisan support. The vote (370-48), which occurred as part of the Continuing Resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the government, provides for a crucial extension of both programs, which were set to expire at the end of this year. Once the CR is signed into law, the programs will expire December 31, 2028.

For 25 years, AGOA has provided eligible Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access, strengthening American exports in textiles and agriculture and fostering a wide array of U.S.-Africa commercial partnerships. Likewise, for more than 15 years, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programs have supported both U.S. and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products, building strong business ties between the two neighboring nations.

"We are grateful for the bipartisan, bicameral support these vital programs have received and look forward to President Trump signing the two-year extension into law," said Beth Hughes, AAFA's Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy. "Our industry remains firmly committed to these programs and encourages Congress to use this extension as an opportunity to modernize AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP and build toward a 15-year renewal. Long-term renewal continues to be the goal in order to encourage long-term investment, deepen trade partnerships, and strengthen industries at home and throughout the region."

AAFA has consistently urged Congress and the Administration to renew both AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP, offering testimony before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on AGOA's renewal in July.

Both AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP have been supported for decades by overwhelming bipartisan majorities. Long-term renewal of these programs will provide much-needed certainty for U.S. companies and provide stability for the workforces in sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti.

For regular updates on key trade and customs dates and deadlines, visit AAFA's Fashion Tariffs 101 page.