Africa Trade Bill Nears Completion

May 3, 2000

House-Senate negotiators are near a final deal on legislation to extend new trade preferences to Africa and Caribbean countries, REUTERS reports. Agreements could be completed Wednesday, sources told the news service.

The trade legislation has been a priority for Congressional leaders, but disputes over how to manage textile trade with low-wage African and Caribbean countries have delayed final action. Both the House and Senate will have to vote again on approving the final version of the bill. Those votes could occur within the next week.

Negotiators reportedly agreed to include a provision for "carousel" trade retaliation. Under the provision, trade sanctions against unfair foreign trade practices would rotate from product to product in order to increase pressure on the offending country. U.S. agricultural groups have supported the concept, arguing it should be used to bring new pressure on the European Union in disputes over beef hormones and bananas.