ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7553ProclamationG.W. Bush · R

Proclamation 7553

To Restore Nondiscriminatory Trade Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Products of Afghanistan

This proclamation restores normal trade relations (most-favored-nation) status to Afghanistan, ending higher column 2 tariff rates that had been in place since 1986. The change takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication and modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to exclude Afghanistan from its non-qualifying country list.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 30535

Impact dates

  1. Restoration of nondiscriminatory trade treatment and HTS modification effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse

Key directives

  • Restore nondiscriminatory trade treatment (normal trade relations) to products of Afghanistan
  • Modify General note 3(b) of the HTS to exclude Afghanistan
  • Effective date: 30 days after Federal Register publication for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed restoring normal trade relations status

Near term (90d)

  • Tariff modification takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication (published May 6, 2002; effective approximately June 5, 2002)

Long term

  • Potential increased U.S.-Afghan trade
  • Support for Afghan economic reconstruction

Risks & tensions

  • Post-Taliban reconstruction context; trade normalization as foreign policy tool
  • Uncertain whether Afghan governance stability would sustain trade benefits
  • Column 2 tariff rates had been in place since 1986 through multiple administrations
Proclamation 7553: To Restore Nondiscriminatory Trade Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Products of Afghanistan · Executive Orders