Kenya
The US aims to establish commitments to ensure Kenya refrains from imposing measures that restrict cross-border data flows and does not require the use of installation of local computing facilities.
AGOA doesn’t expire until 2025, but the industry looks for certainty to the region in the face of the pandemic and upcoming US trade talks with Kenya.
The agreement portends the danger of crippling sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing and disintegration of its economy in Kenya.
Through the reciprocal trade deal, the US government is seeking unfettered entry for its companies into nearly all segments of Kenya’s economy including the heavily guarded ones.
By harmonizing Kenya’s trade policies in accordance with the US trade policies and domestic laws, Nairobi seems ready to surrender its policy space once and for all.
Kenya’s basis for FTA with US questioned, inherent dangers flagged by African Trade Experts.
Anti-biotech activists and sentiment are entrenched throughout Africa, but US farm groups and businesses are hoping a free-trade agreement with Kenya will help the country break through its GMO barriers
The US Trade Representative has announced plans to negotiate a free-trade agreement with Kenya. This would be the first free-trade agreement the US has negotiated with an African nation.
Public Citizen submitted formal comments to the US Trade Representative explaining why negotiating a standard US FTA with Kenya is a very bad idea in general.
American firms have asked Kenya to fix its intellectual property laws as one of the conditions for backing the “model trade agreement” being negotiated by the two states.
US Soybean Export Council and the American Soybeans Association wants the inclusion of provisions on agricultural biotech in the US-Kenya agreement.
The United States should work to achieve a single, comprehensive agreement with Kenya that removes barriers to trade and investment, instead of pursuing a phased approach, the US Chamber of Commerce said.
Trade policies written in the shadows while the public is distracted always have terrible consequences for working people and the planet.
Trade deal violates the East African Community Treaty and its protocols, lawyers say.
The Trump administration told Congress it plans to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement with the East African country of Kenya.
The US has a stronger manufacturing sector meaning their products are likely to be more competitive than the locally produced commodities.
The FTA initiative should be seen in the context of the Trump administration’s determination to pursue bilateral deals to enhance reciprocity and American gains.
Kenya’s proposed free trade deal with the US has put it in the crosshairs as critics say the planned bilateral agreement would be a breach of regional and continental trade protocols.
Kenya surrendered its customs space to the bloc in 2005 when it signed its customs union protocol. The rulebook compels member states to negotiate all trade pacts jointly.
