Kenya, US reiterate commitment to complete trade negotiations

CS Miano highlighted significant progress in several key areas, including anticorruption efforts, support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), services domestic regulation, and initial agricultural trade provisions. 

These measures aim to facilitate agricultural trade, enhance food security, combat bribery and corruption, empower MSMEs, and ensure fair treatment of service suppliers.

The two sides also agreed to continue negotiations on other topics to boost investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefit workers, and support African regional economic integration. 

These discussions focus on streamlining customs procedures, enhancing enforcement cooperation, advancing workers' rights and protections, supporting environmental and climate change goals, increasing regulatory transparency, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Additionally, both parties concluded conceptual discussions on advancing equitable participation in international trade and investment for women, youth, persons with disabilities, vulnerable populations, and the African Diaspora.

 Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo, who are leading the negotiating teams, also co-chaired a public listening session.

Since launching the STIP negotiations in July 2022, the United States and Kenya have progressed from conceptual discussions in Washington, DC, in February 2023 to text-based negotiations in April 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. Subsequent negotiating rounds have been hosted by both sides, including an in-person round in Washington, DC, from April 2-12, 2024. The next round is scheduled for June 2024.