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May 15, 2000: U.S. - Africa Trade Bill Wins Congressional Passage

By a resounding margin of 309-110 in the House and 77-19 in the Senate, Congress gave final approval in early May to the landmark Trade and Development Act of 2000, a bill that incorporates the Africa trade bill. The Africa trade bill expands trade and commercial relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa and lifts or relaxes US import quotas of apparel manufactured in 48 sub-Saharan countries. It will put into place a viable foundation for comprehensive economic relations and a new era of cooperation with Africa. Equally importantly, the legislation marks the first major American trade bill enacted into law in six years.

It was a fitting conclusion to a five-year campaign waged by a legion of supporters of expanded relations with Africa and proponents of free trade. CCA President Steve Hayes referred to the congressional passage as "a momentous moment for American business in Africa".

Over the past four months, the Corporate Council on Africa played an important role in rallying support among the business community and educating key members of Congress on the merits of the conference report. In February, the Council hosted a press conference on the Hill that featured presentations by three Senators, five Representatives, seven Corporate Council members, and representatives of several key African-American grassroots organizations. Later that month, the Council also assisted in organizing an AGOA panel at the National Summit on Africa. Then, as Senate and House conference staffs begin the long road toward reconciliation of two versions of the bill, the Council and many members contributed to work of the staff, pushed interest on the Hill and in the Administration through the active participation in the AGOA Coalition. As the conference report neared completion and the House posed to vote, the pace accelerated and support came from many corners.

In early May, twelve Africa trade ministers and senior trade officials convened in Washington for an US-Africa Trade Forum, guests of US Trade Representative for Africa. CCA hosted the ministers and trade officials at a reception attended by 200 persons and sponsored by CCA members Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Edlow International, Caterpillar, 3M, Manchester Trade and Nathan Associates, the Council took advantage of the ministers' visit to press the House and others on the Africa trade bill. Representative Ed Royce (D-Ca), Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson, and US Trade Representative for Africa Rosa Whitaker addressed the reception and championed the conference report before the House.

Rep Royce summed up the prevailing view by noting that "a broad coalition of business groups, NGOs and African officials had pushed this legislation. I do not believe, that this bill would have happened without the combined support of the governments and ministers from Africa and without support from the Corporate Council on Africa, which is working so diligently to put Africa on the map for US trade and investment."

The Africa trade bill passed the next day. A week later, the Senate took up consideration of the conference report. An obstacle to Senate passage was eliminated when President Clinton issued an executive order on the eve of the Senate vote, promoting the local manufacturing and distribution of HIV/AIDS drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. Senators Feinstein (D-CA), and Feingold (D-WI) threatened to hold up the bill after a provision making anti-AIDS drugs more readily available in Africa was struck from the measure during conference report negotiations between the House and Senate. The next day, the Africa trade bill overwhelmingly passed. The four-year long, and at times difficult, saga came to a happy conclusion.

With trade framework in hand, now begins the equally challenging task of implementing the provisions and working with both Africa and the American business community to promote expanded trade and development in Africa. In this light, the day after the Senate vote, the Council hosted, as part of its Doing Business in Africa series, an innovative forum on the trade bill on May 12th.

An overflow audience of more than 50 persons attended including CCA members, the Africa diplomatic corps, and representatives from the Africa and American press. Representative Phil Crane, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, pointed to the trade bill's major initiatives and urged both the American business community and African government to "take advantage of this historic opportunity for expanded trade and development with Africa".

The forum also featured three House and Senate staffers who drafted the conference report and three senior officials from ENRON, The Limited, and Manchester Trade. The forum described in detail the provisions of the Africa trade bill, highlighted those areas of particular investment interest, outlined the requirements for eligibility, and then laid out an ambitious road map for implementation of many of the bill's provisions.

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