On August 5, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman for a conversation about the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Signed into law in May 2000, AGOA offers African countries that open their economies and build free markets trade incentives with the United States. Set to expire in 2015, AGOA is a defining pillar of the U.S.-Africa trade and commercial relationship. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is playing a key role in the discussions on AGOA’s extension and expansion post-2015, and on how trade with Africa can foster development for the region.
Ambassador Froman was sworn in as the 11th United States Trade Representative (USTR) on June 21, 2013. Ambassador Froman previously served at the White House as assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs. He has also served as the U.S. sherpa for the G-20 and G-8 Summits, and staffed the president for the APEC Leaders Meetings.
Brookings Trustee Liaquat Ahamed provided introductory remarks and Mwangi S. Kimenyi, director of the Africa Growth Initiative, moderated the conversation.
Follow the discussion at #AGOA