US Senate passes 2-year AGOA, Haiti HOPE/HELP extension

The US Senate has passed the bipartisan two-year extension of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act and the AGOA Extension Act, a move relevant for apparel and textile companies using duty-free preference programmes for sourcing and trade.

The extensions were passed as part of the Continuing Resolution and the programmes are now set to expire on December 31, 2028. 

The trade preference programmes had lapsed on September 30, 2025 and were restored retroactively for only 15 months on February 3, 2026.

According to the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), for 25 years, AGOA has provided eligible Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access, strengthening American exports in textiles and agriculture.

The Haiti HOPE/HELP programmes have, for more than 15 years, supported US and Haitian textile industries by granting Haiti duty-free access for apparel and textile products and building business ties between the two neighbouring nations.