ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9383ProclamationObama · D

Proclamation 9383

To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes

This proclamation terminates Burundi's designation as a beneficiary country under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), effective January 1, 2016, citing failure to make continual progress on eligibility requirements. It also modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement sugar quota administration changes, maintain Burma jadeite/ruby import restrictions under Executive Order 13651, extend duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2016, and correct technical errors in tariff treatment for St. Kitts and Nevis, Panama, Colombia, Bahrain, and Korea.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 80617

Impact dates

  1. Israel duty-free access provisions expire

  2. Burundi AGOA termination effective; HTS modifications for sugar, Burma, Israel take effect

Key directives

  • Terminate Burundi's AGOA beneficiary designation effective January 1, 2016
  • Delete 'Republic of Burundi' from HTS general note 16(a)
  • Modify HTS sugar tariff-rate quotas per Annex I
  • Modify HTS to implement EO 13651 Burma jadeite/ruby restrictions per Annex II
  • Modify HTS to extend Israel agricultural duty-free access through December 31, 2016 per Annex III
  • Make technical corrections to HTS for St. Kitts and Nevis, Panama, Colombia, Bahrain, and Korea per Annex IV
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 21, 2015

Near term (90d)

  • Burundi AGOA designation terminates January 1, 2016
  • HTS modifications for sugar, Burma, Israel take effect January 1, 2016
  • Israel duty-free access effective for entries on or after January 1, 2016

Long term

  • Israel duty-free access continues through December 31, 2016
  • Burundi remains excluded from AGOA benefits until potential future redesignation

Risks & tensions

  • Burundi's AGOA termination may exacerbate economic instability and political tensions in the country
  • Israel agricultural extension is temporary, creating uncertainty for bilateral trade negotiations
  • Multiple technical corrections suggest ongoing complexity in implementing trade agreements accurately
Proclamation 9383: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders