The U.S. apparel and footwear sector has welcomed the recent renewal of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act and the AGOA Extension Act, which together provide a retroactive extension of these essential trade programs for 15 months.
This announcement marks the reinstatement of critical trade preference programs that had expired on September 30, 2025.
For 25 years, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has granted eligible Sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access, enhancing American exports in textiles and agriculture while nurturing diverse U.S.-Africa commercial partnerships. Additionally, for over 15 years, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programs have bolstered both U.S. and Haitian textile industries by allowing duty-free access for apparel and textile products, thereby strengthening the economic ties between the neighboring nations.
Through this renewed initiative, qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries will gain duty-free entry to the U.S. market for more than 1,800 products, alongside over 5,000 goods included under the Generalized System of Preferences.
AGOA sets rigorous eligibility standards regarding governance, anti-corruption efforts, human rights, and market accessibility. As of 2024, 32 countries were able to meet the criteria to receive AGOA benefits.
The HOPE/HELP program specifically provides advantageous trade preferences for textile and apparel items produced in Haiti.
Supporters emphasize that maintaining this access is crucial for stabilizing Haitiโs apparel sector amid ongoing political challenges and for addressing security concerns related to instability in a country situated less than 700 miles from the U.S. The renewal is also viewed as consistent with American trade priorities focusing on nearshoring and onshoring.
โThe industry welcomes this long-awaited renewal. While the retroactive nature of this passage supports the industry on time lost, proactive and long-term renewal is what is needed for predictability, investment, and economic viability to support the U.S. jobs anchored by these programs,โ said Beth Hughes, AAFAโs Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy. โWe look forward to immediately working with Congress and the Administration on this approach to ensure these programs are timely renewed well before their expiration on December 31, 2026.โ
