AAFA applauds proposed three-year extension of AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP programs

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) today welcomed the introduction of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act and the AGOA Extension Act, which are scheduled for consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee tomorrow. The proposed three-year extension will restore critical trade preference programs that lapsed on September 30, 2025.

For 25 years, AGOA has provided eligible Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access, strengthening American exports in textiles and agriculture and fostering a wide array of U.S.–Africa commercial partnerships. Likewise, for more than 15 years, the Haiti HOPE/HELP programs have supported both U.S. and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products, building strong business ties between the two neighboring nations.

“This renewal will be a major win for American workers, our partners in Sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti, and for U.S. competitiveness,” said Beth Hughes, AAFA’s Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy. “These programs safeguard and support 3.6 million American workers while sustaining jobs abroad and opening markets for U.S. cotton and textile exports. Restoring them is urgent, cost-effective, and bipartisan — exactly the kind of practical leadership our supply chains need.”

AAFA emphasized that the programs’ lapse on September 30 created immediate uncertainty and risk for sourcing operations across the fashion industry and for trading partners who rely on stable, long-term access to U.S. markets. The association expressed appreciation that Congress is now taking decisive steps to close this gap and provide retroactive relief.

AAFA has consistently urged Congress and the Administration to renew both AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP, offering testimony before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on AGOA’s renewal in July and before the International Trade Commission on Haiti HOPE/HELP in February.

For regular updates on key trade and customs dates and deadlines, visit AAFA’s Fashion Tariffs 101 page.