Kenya Clarifies US Trade Deal Standpoint
Alfred K’Ombudo, the principal secretary for trade, clarified media reports on July 23 that the United States has made new demands before signing a free trade agreement that has been under negotiation since 2020.
Following a report in the Sunday Nation that the US team commanded by Trade Representative Katherine Tai was pressuring the Kenyan government to implement economic and social reforms before agreeing to a deal, he issued the following statement.
The paper reported that the US negotiating team wanted Kenya to abandon the Family Protection Bill proposed by Homa Bay Town member of Parliament Peter Kaluma to prohibit the promotion, recruitment, and funding of LGBTQ organizations.
According to the Daily, other conditions being pressed include combating corruption and developing transparent licensing and regulatory systems.
The PS noted that the reportage did not accurately depict the events of the three-day negotiations that began on July 17.
K’ Ombudo stated that the negotiations are proceeding on schedule and with a high degree of convergence across multiple chapters.
He added that the trade negotiations were not unilateral as had been reported, but rather an agreement between two equal parties.
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In a statement endorsed by his Foreign Affairs counterpart Korir Sing’oei, the Principal Secretary added that the negotiations had added prospective new sectors such as digital trade.
When contacted by GossipA2Z, the PS was unavailable for comment because he was attending a social engagement.
The free trade agreement aims to eliminate the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which exempts Kenyan exports to the United States from duty.
The free trade agreement, which is anticipated to be signed by April 2024, emphasizes non-tariff partnerships that will raise Kenya’s labor and production standards.
During her visit to Kenya, Tai pledged to enhance East African Community (EAC) economic integration and expansion.
Tai, while chairing the U.S.-East African Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council, stated, “Cooperation makes us stronger, and I look forward to our continued, dynamic work as a council.”
According to the United States Department of State, the country is the largest market for Kenyan exports and the seventh largest supplier of Kenyan imports.
The principal exports to the United States are apparel, coffee, and tea.
Kenya Clarifies US Trade Deal Standpoint
