Deputy USTR Nominee Supports One-year Renewal for Haiti Trade Programs
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., continues to emphasize the importance of a long-term preference program for both sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti, but, in responses to questions for the record, deputy U.S. trade representative nominee Jeffrey Goettman said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative supports a one-year renewal for both.
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Goettman, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the political appointee responsible for Africa and for the Western Hemisphere. He was recommended by the committee this week, with support from all the Republicans, plus Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., Warnock and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
Warnock wrote, "Given the uncertainty in Haiti’s apparel sector and the importance of maintaining Western Hemisphere production, does the Administration support a renewal of HOPE/HELP for a further ten years to provide the stability investors and U.S. supply chains need and support security efforts in the country?"
Goettman replied,"I support a one year reauthorization of HOPE/HELP Haiti and, if confirmed and asked to do so, will provide technical assistance to the Committee on ways to better align the program with our current trade priorities."
The White House announced its support for a one-year African Growth and Opportunity Act renewal the day after AGOA expired. Warnock asked, "If confirmed, will you commit to working with Congress and with this Committee, on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize AGOA and develop reforms to strengthen it in the long-term, should we seek your assistance?"
Goettman said he would provide "technical assistance to the Committee on ways to better align AGOA with our current trade priorities."
Warnock asked him what reforms are needed for AGOA, to encourage member countries to align with U.S. strategic interests and to promote "mutually beneficial economic growth in Africa ... while offering a credible alternative to coercive Chinese economic influence?"
He responded, "If confirmed, I look forward to engaging with African trading partners and working with you to increase our presence in Africa."