ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9771ProclamationTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 9771

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

This proclamation suspends duty-free treatment for AGOA-eligible apparel goods from Rwanda, effective July 31, 2018, due to Rwanda's non-compliance with AGOA requirements. It also makes technical modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to update rules of origin under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, conform to World Customs Organization amendments, and correct errors in a prior solar safeguard measure.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 37993

Impact dates

  1. USBFTA rules of origin modifications (Annex II) effective for goods entered/consumed

  2. WCO conforming amendments (Annex III) effective for goods entered/consumed

  3. Duty-free treatment for Rwandan apparel suspended; HTS Annex I modifications effective

Key directives

  • Suspend duty-free treatment for all AGOA-eligible apparel goods from Rwanda effective July 31, 2018
  • Modify HTS per Annex I to reflect Rwanda suspension
  • Modify general note 30 to HTS per Annex II for USBFTA rules of origin
  • Modify HTS per Annex III for WCO Convention amendments
  • Correct technical errors in Proclamation 9693 solar safeguard notes
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Duty-free treatment for Rwandan apparel suspended effective July 31, 2018
  • HTS modified per Annex I for Rwanda apparel suspension

Near term (90d)

  • USBFTA rules of origin modifications (Annex II) effective 30 days after Federal Register publication
  • WCO conforming amendments (Annex III) effective later of 30 days after FR publication or first day of following month

Long term

  • Four-year solar safeguard measure from Proclamation 9693 continues with corrected technical language

Risks & tensions

  • Rwanda's non-compliance determination may relate to trade policy disputes (used clothing import ban context, though not explicitly stated here)
  • Annex III effective date has dual trigger creating implementation uncertainty—later of 30 days post-FR or first of next month
  • Solar safeguard technical corrections suggest prior implementation errors in Proclamation 9693
Proclamation 9771: To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders