Members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee in the US on Tuesday, May 21, wrote a letter to the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate a full trade agreement with Kenya.
According to the members, a full trade agreement would open the Kenyan market to US manufacturers, farmers and small business owners.
Additionally, the politicians remarked that the deal would enhance US competitiveness in Kenya and encourage the Kenyan government to make high-standard commitments and reforms in various critical areas.
These include raising and enforcing Kenya's informal economy and safeguarding the environment from degradation.
In the letter from the committee chairs Ron Wyden and Richard Neal, Tai was urged to transition the ongoing trade discussion with Kenya into negotiations of a comprehensive and enforceable trade agreement.
"An enforceable and comprehensive trade agreement with Kenya will help to create a standard for engagement with African nations moving forward," the letter read in parts.
The two committee chairs emphasised if this is implemented, it will protect workers, and the environment and also support US workers and manufacturers.
Wyden and Neal also revealed that the Joe Biden administration was committed to strengthening the ties with Kenya and will renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which is set to expire in September 2025.
"Trade agreements, when done right can be powerful drivers for good-paying, quality jobs that open new markets and create more customers for American small businesses, manufacturers, farmers and service providers, while raising the bar on human rights, labour standards and environmental protections around the world and levelling the playing field for American workers," the duo added.
This call comes as President William Ruto is in the US for a four-day state visit where he is expected to sign agreements in various sectors.
Recently, Tai and Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano concluded the fifth round of negotiations under the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP).
The two officials agreed on ways to increase investment promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth benefiting workers and support African regional economic integration.
