Economic Report - Future Uncertain for African Growth and Opportunity Act

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United States is considering the future of an American law called African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. This law allows countries sub-Saharan Africa to export some goods and natural resources to the States without dutiesAGOA is set to end in 2015. It was into law in 2000 and has been extended once already. Earlier month, American Trade Representative Michael Froman met with African ministers in for talks on the possible renewal of AGOA. He said the States is interested in African trade talks with the European Union. said American officials want to know about the results of those before they decide what to do about extending the law. Mr. said African partner countries need to think about how they want work with the United States on renewing it. He said the need to understand how this issue relates to their negotiations with European Union. EU economic partnership agreements with African countries would be from AGOA. Not only would African products be duty-free in Europe. goods sent to African markets would not be subject to import either. Mr. Froman said the wording of AGOA might need to changed so the law is more like the EU partnership agreements. said the United States is unlikely to support calls for giving partners one-way access to the American market while limiting trade for companies. In the end, the United States Congress will decide whether not to approve an extension of the law, and for how . For VOA Learning English, I'm Alex Villarreal.

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