Biden Administration Signals Resumption of Trade Talks with Kenya

The Biden administration has given an indication of a possible resumption of trade talks between the US and Kenya.

The two nations commenced negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in July 2020, with a view of drafting a comprehensive agreement that would act as a model for similar pacts between the US and other African countries.

But discussions around the agreement died down after Biden took over from his predecessor Donald Trump in January last year. The Biden administration has been conducting a forensic review of all agreements reached under Trump, including Kenya’s proposed FTA.

US Trade Representative Amb. Katherine Tai in a new report submitted to the US Congress says the Biden administration will hold further discussions with Kenya in a bid to establish “a shared vision and partnership for economic resilience and to promote investment, equitable and inclusive development, sustainable trade, and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.”

“The United States is committed to continue working with Kenya to deepen our trade and investment relationship, including by advancing worker-centered trade policies and promoting regional and continental economic integration in Africa,” the report titled Biden’s 2022 Trade Policy Agenda and 2021 Annual Report reads in part.

The Trade Representative’s office did not disclose when the stalled talks are expected to resume. The report, which was published on March 1st, outlines the US Trade Representative’s planned work to implement the Biden Administration’s trade priorities this year.

Kenya is keen on signing the agreement ahead of the expiry of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in 2025. AGOA gives Kenya and 40 other sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for over 6,000 products.