Thousands of workers in limbo as US-Africa trade deal set to expire
2 days ago Share Save Akisa Wandera BBC Africa, Nairobi Share Save
Hassan Lali / BBC Joan Wambui's family relies on the money she earns from working at Shona EPZ
At Shona EPZ, a garment factory in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the tension is inescapable. The industrious thrum of the heavy-duty sewing machines, along with the workers' chatter, normally fills the plant with a reassuring rhythm. But today every sound is tinged with uncertainty as the future of the firm is unclear because of the possible end of a key piece of US trade law. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), embedding in legislation a landmark trade agreement that has for 25 years given some African goods duty-free access to the US market, expires on Tuesday. However, this policy is at odds with the Trump administration's record of imposing tariffs.
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