Keep AGOA | Save Ethiopian Jobs and Livelihoods

Keep AGOA | Save Ethiopian Jobs and Livelihoods

Started
16 December 2021
Petition Closed
This petition had 7,776 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC)

THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO REMOVE ETHIOPIA FROM AGOA ON JANUARY 1, 2022 — HELP US SAVE ETHIOPIAN LIVELIHOODS 

What is AGOA? AGOA stands for the African Growth and Opportunities Act. It's legislation that secures trade benefits between the US and African nations, including Ethiopia. After its enactment, poverty in Ethiopia fell by 42% and over 1,000,000 jobs were created. 

Why is AGOA critical to Ethiopia? The answer is simple: trade creates economic growth and develops economic corridors that bring jobs and higher wages to the region. Removing Ethiopia from AGOA will stunt the Ethiopian economy and punish countless hardworking Ethiopians who rely on these jobs to put their children through school and keep food on the table. In addition, this sudden hit to Ethiopian production could reverberate throughout all Sub-Saharan African economies. Put simply, the United States' delisting of Ethiopia hurts innocent civilians who are already living with an active civil conflict, as well as the region at-large. 

Why is delisting also a mistake for the US? The delisting of Ethiopia from AGOA does untold damage to US interests in Africa by opening the door to US competitors in the region. Ethiopia has long been a strategic partner for the US in the region -- and for good reason! As a burgeoning democracy with a strategic location in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a critical geopolitical partner. Not only that, Ethiopia is the US's 3rd largest export market in Sub-Saharan Africa. The delisting announcement sent shockwaves through the American retail and investment markets in Ethiopia. Since then, China has announced a $10B investment in Africa. 

What can you do? We must act NOW to reverse this senseless AGOA delisting, saving Ethiopian workers and the economy before it's too late. Sign this petition and call on the Biden Administration to undo Ethiopia's removal from this critical trade benefits program.  

To stay up to date on this and other efforts being made to secure the futures of Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans, follow AEPAC on Twitter. 

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