Kenya, US Agree to Expedite Trade Discussions

Trade representatives from Kenya and the United States on Monday held further discussions aimed at enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries.

This followed a meeting between US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Kenya's Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization's 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Ambassador Tai and Cabinet Secretary Maina agreed to explore pathways towards a deeper bilateral trade and economic relationship that: promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefits workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises); and supports African regional economic integration,” the US Trade Representative office said in a press release.

The two also discussed a number of issues where the US and Kenya could develop an ambitious roadmap for enhanced cooperation and, where appropriate, explore negotiating high-standard commitments. The issues include trade facilitation and customs, standards, services digital trade, environment and climate change, and agriculture. 

“As a next step, the two countries will work to finalize a list of areas for cooperation to deepen economic engagement, and the two ministers agreed to meet again in the coming weeks to announce next steps,” the statement adds.

In May, experts from the two countries held a successful consultative meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on ways to enhance trade and investment relations.

Kenya and the US are yet to sign a deal more than two years after the two countries initiated negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) under President Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.

Trade talks between the two countries resumed earlier this year after a long hiatus caused by administrative changes in the US.

The two nations commenced talks in July 2020, with a view of drafting a comprehensive agreement that would act as a model for similar pacts between the US and other African countries.

Kenya was keen on signing the agreement ahead of the expiry of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in 2025. AGOA gives Kenya and 40 other sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for over 6,000 products.