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Burkina Faso to Lose AGOA Beneficiary Status Jan. 1

Exports from Burkina Faso will no longer qualify for the African Growth and Opportunity Act benefits next year, the White House notified Congress Nov. 2.

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"I am taking this step because I have determined that the Government of Burkina Faso has not established, or is not making continual progress toward establishing, the protection of the rule of law and of political pluralism, as stated in the eligibility requirements of section 104 of the AGOA," Biden wrote. "Accordingly, I intend to terminate the designation of Burkina Faso as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under the AGOA, effective January 1, 2023. I will continue to assess whether the Government of Burkina Faso is making continual progress toward meeting the AGOA eligibility requirements."

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the U.S. urges Burkina Faso to return to an elective democracy. "I will provide Burkina Faso with clear benchmarks for a pathway toward reinstatement and our Administration will work with them to achieve that objective,” she said.