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[House Document 115-109]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

115th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - House Document 115-109
 
   SUSPENSION OF THE APPLICATION OF DUTY-FREE TREATMENT TO ALL AGOA-
                             ELIGIBLE GOODS

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

    NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO SUSPEND THE APPLICATION OF DUTY-FREE 
  TREATMENT TO ALL AGOA-ELIGIBLE GOODS IN THE APPAREL SECTOR FOR THE 
 REPUBLIC OF RWANDA, PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 2466A(c)(2); PUBLIC LAW 93-
 618, SEC. 506A(c)(2) (AS ADDED BY PUBLIC LAW 114-27, SEC. 105(b)(2); 
                            (129 STAT. 366)

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

   March 29, 2018.--Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and 
                         ordered to be printed
                         
                                  ______

                         U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

79-011                         WASHINGTON : 2018 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                           The White House,
                                        Washington, March 29, 2018.
Hon. Paul D. Ryan,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In accordance with section 506A(c)(2) of 
the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2466a(c)(2)), I am 
providing advance notification of my intent to suspend the 
application of duty-free treatment to all African Growth and 
Opportunity Act (AGOA)-eligible goods in the apparel sector for 
the Republic of Rwanda 60 days after the date of this 
notification.
    The Government of Rwanda continues to impose barriers to 
United States trade, specifically, barriers affecting certain 
United States exports of apparel products. In spite of intense 
engagement by United States officials with the Government of 
Rwanda, the United States has been unable to resolve this 
matter. I have therefore determined that the Government of 
Rwanda is not making continual progress toward the elimination 
of barriers to United States trade and investment, as required 
by section 104 of the AGOA.
    The suspension of duty-free treatment described above is a 
more appropriate response in these circumstances than the 
termination of the Government of Rwanda's designation as a 
beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, as it 
promotes the continuation of efforts between the United States 
and Rwanda to resolve outstanding issues. Although the 
Government of Rwanda has failed to meet critical benchmarks 
required to address these issues to date, it continues to 
express an interest in resolving United States concerns.
    I will continue to assess whether the Government of Rwanda 
is making continual progress toward the elimination of barriers 
to United States trade and investment in accordance with the 
AGOA eligibility requirements, as well as whether this 
suspension of benefits is effective in promoting compliance 
with those requirements.

            Sincerely,
                                                   Donald J. Trump.

                                  [all]
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