AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015

To extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Generalized System of Preferences, the preferential duty treatment program for Haiti, and for other purposes. I Extension of African Growth and Opportunity Act 101. Short title This title may be cited as the AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 102. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Since its enactment, the African Growth and Opportunity Act has been the centerpiece of trade relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa and has enhanced trade, investment, job creation, and democratic institutions throughout Africa. (2) Trade and investment, as facilitated by the African Growth and Opportunity Act, promote economic growth, development, poverty reduction, democracy, the rule of law, and stability in sub-Saharan Africa. (3) Trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa has more than tripled since the enactment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2000, and United States direct investment in sub-Saharan Africa has grown almost six-fold. (4) It is in the interest of the United States to engage and compete in emerging markets in sub-Saharan African countries, to boost trade and investment between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries, and to renew and strengthen the African Growth and Opportunity Act. (5) The long-term economic security of the United States is enhanced by strong economic and political ties with the fastest-growing economies in the world, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. (6) It is a goal of the United States to further integrate sub-Saharan African countries into the global economy, stimulate economic development in Africa, and diversify sources of growth in sub-Saharan Africa. (7) To that end, implementation of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization would strengthen regional integration efforts in sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to economic growth in the region. (8) The elimination of barriers to trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa, including high tariffs, forced localization requirements, restrictions on investment, and customs barriers, will create opportunities for workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers in the United States and sub-Saharan African countries. (9) The elimination of such barriers will improve utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and strengthen regional and global integration, accelerate economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, and enhance the trade relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. 103. Extension of African Growth and Opportunity Act (a) In general Section 506B of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466b September 30, 2015 September 30, 2025 (b) African Growth and Opportunity Act (1) In general Section 112(g) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3721(g) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2025 (2) Extension of regional apparel article program Section 112(b)(3)(A) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(3)(A) (A) in clause (i), by striking 11 succeeding 21 succeeding (B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking September 30, 2015 September 30, 2025 (3) Extension of third-country fabric program Section 112(c)(1) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3721(c)(1) (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking September 30 2015 September 30 2025 (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking September 30, 2015 September 30, 2025 (C) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking September 30, 2015 September 30, 2025 104. Modifications of rules of origin for duty-free treatment for articles of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under Generalized System of Preferences (a) In general Section 506A(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466a(b)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) the direct costs of processing operations performed in one or more such beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries shall be applied in determining such percentage. . (b) Applicability to articles receiving duty-Free treatment under title V of Trade Act of 1974 Section 506A(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466a(b) (3) Rules of origin under this title The exceptions set forth in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2) shall also apply to any article described in section 503(a)(1) that is the growth, product, or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of any determination to provide duty-free treatment with respect to such article. . (c) Modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule The President may proclaim such modifications as may be necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to add the special tariff treatment symbol D Special A A* Special (d) Effective date The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to any article described in section 503(b)(1)(B) through (G) of the Trade Act of 1974 that is the growth, product, or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country and that is imported into the customs territory of the United States on or after the date that is 30 days after such date of enactment. 105. Monitoring and review of eligibility under Generalized System of Preferences (a) Continuing compliance Section 506A(a)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(3) (1) by striking If the President (A) In general If the President ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) Notification The President may not terminate the designation of a country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under subparagraph (A) unless, at least 60 days before the termination of such designation, the President notifies Congress and notifies the country of the President’s intention to terminate such designation, together with the considerations entering into the decision to terminate such designation. . (b) Withdrawal, suspension, or limitation of preferential tariff treatment Section 506A of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466a (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Withdrawal, suspension, or limitation of preferential tariff treatment (1) In general The President may withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment provided for any article described in subsection (b)(1) of this section or section 112 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act with respect to a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country if the President determines that withdrawing, suspending, or limiting such duty-free treatment would be more effective in promoting compliance by the country with the requirements described in subsection (a)(1) than terminating the designation of the country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of this section. (2) Notification The President may not withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under paragraph (1) unless, at least 60 days before such withdrawal, suspension, or limitation, the President notifies Congress and notifies the country of the President’s intention to withdraw, suspend, or limit such duty-free treatment, together with the considerations entering into the decision to terminate such designation. . (c) Review and public comments on eligibility requirements Section 506A of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2466a (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Review and public comments on eligibility requirements (1) In general In carrying out subsection (a)(2), the President shall publish annually in the Federal Register a notice of review and request for public comments on whether beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries are meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the eligibility criteria set forth in section 502 of this Act. (2) Public hearing The United States Trade Representative shall, not later than 30 days after the date on which the President publishes the notice of review and request for public comments under paragraph (1)— (A) hold a public hearing on such review and request for public comments; and (B) publish in the Federal Register, before such hearing is held, notice of— (i) the time and place of such hearing; and (ii) the time and place at which such public comments will be accepted. (3) Petition process (A) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the President shall establish a process to allow any interested person, at any time, to file a petition with the Office of the United States Trade Representative with respect to the compliance of any country listed in section 107 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act with the eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of such Act and the eligibility criteria set forth in section 502 of this Act. (B) Use of petitions The President shall take into account all petitions filed pursuant to subparagraph (A) in making determinations of compliance under subsections (a)(3)(A) and (c) and in preparing any reports required by this title as such reports apply with respect to beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. (4) Out-of-cycle reviews (A) In general The President may, at any time, initiate an out-of-cycle review of whether a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country is making continual progress in meeting the requirements described in paragraph (1). The President shall give due consideration to petitions received under paragraph (3) in determining whether to initiate an out-of-cycle review under this subparagraph. (B) Congressional notification Before initiating an out-of-cycle review under subparagraph (A), the President shall notify and consult with Congress. (C) Consequences of review If, pursuant to an out-of-cycle review conducted under subparagraph (A), the President determines that a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country does not meet the requirements set forth in section 104(a) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3703(a) (D) Reports After each out-of-cycle review conducted under subparagraph (A) with respect to a country, the President shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the review and any determination of the President to terminate the designation of the country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country or withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment with respect to articles from the country under subparagraph (C). (E) Sense of Congress Recognizing that concerns have been raised about the compliance with section 104(a) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3703(a) . 106. Biennial AGOA utilization strategies (a) In general It is the sense of Congress that— (1) beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries should develop utilization strategies on a biennial basis in order to more effectively and strategically utilize benefits available under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (in this section referred to as AGOA utilization strategies (2) United States trade capacity building agencies should work with, and provide appropriate resources to, such sub-Saharan African countries to assist in developing and implementing biennial AGOA utilization strategies; and (3) as appropriate, and to encourage greater regional integration, the United States Trade Representative should consider requesting the Regional Economic Communities to prepare biennial AGOA utilization strategies. (b) Contents It is further the sense of Congress that biennial AGOA utilization strategies should identify strategic needs and priorities to bolster utilization of benefits available under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. To that end, biennial AGOA utilization strategies should— (1) review potential exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and identify opportunities and obstacles to increased trade and investment and enhanced poverty reduction efforts; (2) identify obstacles to regional integration that inhibit utilization of benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act; (3) set out a plan to take advantage of opportunities and address obstacles identified in paragraphs (1) and (2), improve awareness of the African Growth and Opportunity Act as a program that enhances exports to the United States, and utilize United States Agency for International Development regional trade hubs; (4) set out a strategy to promote small business and entrepreneurship; and (5) eliminate obstacles to regional trade and promote greater utilization of benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and establish a plan to promote full regional implementation of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization. (c) Publication It is further the sense of Congress that— (1) each beneficiary sub-Saharan African country should publish on an appropriate Internet website of such country public versions of its AGOA utilization strategy; and (2) the United States Trade Representative should publish on the Internet website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative public versions of all AGOA utilization strategies described in paragraph (1). 107. Deepening and expanding trade and investment ties between sub-Saharan Africa and the United States It is the policy of the United States to continue to— (1) seek to deepen and expand trade and investment ties between sub-Saharan Africa and the United States, including through the negotiation of accession by sub-Saharan African countries to the World Trade Organization and the negotiation of trade and investment framework agreements, bilateral investment treaties, and free trade agreements, as such agreements have the potential to catalyze greater trade and investment, facilitate additional investment in sub-Saharan Africa, further poverty reduction efforts, and promote economic growth; (2) seek to negotiate agreements with individual sub-Saharan African countries as well as with the Regional Economic Communities, as appropriate; (3) promote full implementation of commitments made under the WTO Agreement (as such term is defined in section 2(9) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3501(9) (4) promote the negotiation of trade agreements that cover substantially all trade between parties to such agreements and, if other countries seek to negotiate trade agreements that do not cover substantially all trade, continue to object in all appropriate forums. 108. Reports (a) Implementation report (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a report on the trade and investment relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries and on the implementation of this title and the amendments made by this title. (2) Matters to be included The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the status of trade and investment between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, including information on leading exports to the United States from sub-Saharan African countries. (B) Any changes in eligibility of sub-Saharan African countries during the period covered by the report. (C) A detailed analysis of whether each such beneficiary sub-Saharan African country is continuing to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the eligibility criteria set forth in section 502 of the Trade Act of 1974. (D) A description of the status of regional integration efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. (E) A summary of United States trade capacity building efforts. (F) Any other initiatives related to enhancing the trade and investment relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries. (b) Potential trade agreements report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the United States Trade Representative shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) identifies sub-Saharan African countries that have a expressed an interest in entering into a free trade agreement with the United States; (2) evaluates the viability and progress of such sub-Saharan African countries and other sub-Saharan African countries toward entering into a free trade agreement with the United States; and (3) describes a plan for negotiating and concluding such agreements, which includes the elements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 116(b)(2) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. (c) Termination The reporting requirements of this section shall cease to have any force or effect after September 30, 2025. 109. Technical amendments Section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3703 (1) in subsection (a), by striking (a) In general (2) by striking subsection (b). 110. Definitions In this title: (1) Beneficiary sub-Saharan African country The term beneficiary sub-Saharan African country (2) Sub-Saharan African country The term sub-Saharan African country II Extension of Generalized System of Preferences 201. Extension of Generalized System of Preferences (a) In general Section 505 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2465 July 31, 2013 December 31, 2017 (b) Effective date (1) In general The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to articles entered on or after the 30th day after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Retroactive application for certain liquidations and reliquidations (A) In general Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1514 19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq. (i) after July 31, 2013, and (ii) before the effective date specified in paragraph (1), shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry occurred on the effective date specified in paragraph (1). (B) Requests A liquidation or reliquidation may be made under subparagraph (A) with respect to an entry only if a request therefor is filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act that contains sufficient information to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (i) to locate the entry; or (ii) to reconstruct the entry if it cannot be located. (C) Payment of amounts owed Any amounts owed by the United States pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of an entry of a covered article under subparagraph (A) shall be paid, without interest, not later than 90 days after the date of the liquidation or reliquidation (as the case may be). (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Covered article The term covered article 19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq. (B) Enter; entry The terms enter entry 202. Authority to designate certain cotton articles as eligible articles only for least-developed beneficiary developing countries under Generalized System of Preferences Section 503(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2463(b) (5) Certain cotton articles Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the President may designate as an eligible article or articles under subsection (a)(1)(B) only for countries designated as least-developed beneficiary developing countries under section 502(a)(2) cotton articles classifiable under subheading 5201.00.18, 5201.00.28, 5201.00.38, 5202.99.30, or 5203.00.30 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. . 203. Application of competitive need limitation and waiver under Generalized System of Preferences with respect to articles of beneficiary developing countries exported to the United States during calendar year 2014 (a) In general For purposes of applying and administering subsections (c)(2) and (d) of section 503 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2463 October 1 July 1 (b) Article described An article described in this subsection is an article of a beneficiary developing country that is designated by the President as an eligible article under subsection (a) of section 503 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2463 III Extension of preferential duty treatment program for Haiti 301. Extension of preferential duty treatment program for Haiti Section 213A of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2703a (1) Subsection (b) is amended as follows: (A) Paragraph (1) is amended— (i) in subparagraph (B)(v)(I), by amending item (cc) to read as follows: (cc) 60 percent or more during the 1-year period beginning on December 20, 2017, and each of the 7 succeeding 1-year periods. ; and (ii) in subparagraph (C)— (I) in the table, by striking 11 succeeding 1-year periods 16 succeeding 1-year periods (II) by striking December 19, 2018 December 19, 2025 (B) Paragraph (2) is amended— (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking 11 succeeding 1-year periods 16 succeeding 1-year periods (ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking 11 succeeding 1-year periods 16 succeeding 1-year periods (2) Subsection (h) is amended by striking September 30, 2020 September 30, 2025 IV Other provisions 401. Customs user fees (a) In general Section 13031(j)(3)(A) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(j)(3)(A) September 30, 2024 July 7, 2025 (b) Rate for merchandise processing fees Section 503 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( Public Law 112–41 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2025 402. Time for payment of corporate estimated taxes Notwithstanding section 6655 (1) the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2020 shall be increased by 5.25 percent of such amount (determined without regard to any increase in such amount not contained in such Code); and (2) the amount of the next required installment after an installment referred to in paragraph (1) shall be appropriately reduced to reflect the amount of the increase by reason of such paragraph.

Summary: AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to extend through FY2025 the duty-free treatment of the products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under those Acts. The extended period also applies to: the preferential treatment of apparel articles wholly assembled, or components knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from yarns originating in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, or both; and the third-country fabric program granting duty-free treatment of apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles. This bill amends the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to revise rules of origin for duty-free treatment of articles of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. The President must not terminate the designation of a country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country unless, at least 60 days before termination, the President notifies Congress and the country of that intention. The President, instead of terminating the designation, may withdraw, suspend, or limit the duty-free treatment for any article that is the growth, product, or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country if that would be more effective in promoting the country's compliance with certain requirements, including a market-based economy and the rule of law, the protection of human rights and internationally-recognized worker rights, elimination of trade barriers to the United States, and non-engagement in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests or support acts of international terrorism. The President shall: publish annually in the Federal Register a notice of review and request for public comments on whether beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries are meeting the eligibility requirements for preferential treatment under AGOA and the Trade Act of 1974, and establish a process for interested persons to file a petition with the United States Trade Representative regarding the compliance of sub-Saharan African countries with such requirements. It is the sense of Congress that beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries should develop strategies biennially for more effective utilization of AGOA trade benefits. It is U.S. policy to continue to seek to deepen and expand trade and investment ties between sub-Saharan African and the United States through specified actions. This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend duty-free treatment under the GSP through December 31, 2017. The President may designate certain cotton articles as eligible for duty-free treatment only for least-developed beneficiary developing countries. The competitive need limitation and waiver requirements under the GSP shall apply to certain import-sensitive articles exported (directly or indirectly) from beneficiary developing countries to the United States during calendar 2014. This bill amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to extend through December 19, 2025, the duty-free entry of apparel articles, including woven articles and certain knit articles, assembled in Haiti and imported from Haiti or the Dominican Republic to the United States. The special duty-free rules for Haiti shall now extend through September 30, 2025. This bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1958 to extend customs user fees for certain customs services performed through July 7, 2025. The required installment of corporate estimated tax payments for a corporation with assets of at least $1 billion which is otherwise due in the third quarter of 2020 shall be increased by 5.25%.