Southern West Virginia News

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Hearing to discuss the economic significance and renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and trade programs related to Haiti, which are set to expire in 2025.

Congresswoman Miller began her remarks by highlighting the need to renew and strengthen the AGOA program, along with the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and enacting Free Trade Agreements.

“The AGOA program has proven invaluable for economic growth of Sub-Saharan countries, empowering African women, and increased opportunities for American producers. It is vital that Congress commits to renewing and strengthening AGOA as soon as possible. As we begin negotiations for AGOA, it is equally important we consider the broader goals of strengthening bilateral ties with countries around the world to counter China’s malign influence. This committee has made great strides in doing so through marking up critical legislation to reauthorize Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), but we can still do better. It is imperative that we remain optimistic toward enacting Free Trade Agreements with our allies, particularly with Ecuador, as we work to renew GSP, AGOA, and the other crucial programs we are discussing today,” said Congresswoman Miller.

Congresswoman Miller asked Skip Richmond, Founder and Co-CEO of Do the Right Thing (DTRT) Apparel, how the apparel industry has helped poverty-facing citizens in developing countries and what Congress can do to assist in advancing the industry’s growth.

“One important provision of both AGOA and the Haiti HOPE Act is the inclusion of apparel as an eligible product. Under AGOA, U.S. imports of apparel rose from $696 million in 2000 to $1.4 billion in 2021. In Haiti, apparel industry exports account for nearly 90% of total exports. Importantly, Haitians have shown resilience despite the unrest in their country and are still showing up to work. Mr. Richmond, as an employer of 5,000 workers in a developing country, how have you witnessed the apparel industry lift citizens out of poverty, and what more can Congress do to help the growth of this industry?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“We've witnessed great things, and that's exactly why we started our business. We recognize the power for good that the apparel industry has... everyone we hire has no previous experience... There's no educational requirement; most of them have never had a formal job... We hire them... they make a wage that they can live on... We have countless stories of women who joined us at one level... promoted to supervisory or management positions... now paying for their siblings or others to go to school," responded Mr. Richmond.

Congresswoman Miller proceeded to ask Mr. Richmond about program certainty.

“Do companies like yours need a strong sense of certainty regarding American preference programs in order to commit investments in these regions?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Absolutely… There are so many new brands… Everyone’s looking to source from Africa… there aren’t enough qualified suppliers like ourselves… There needs to be more… incentivize brands…” responded Mr. Richmond.

Congresswoman Miller continued by asking Daniel Runde—Senior Vice President at Center for Strategic and International Studies—about how critical minerals under AGOA could benefit American producers and consumers.

“Another area... our reliance on China and Russia for critical minerals... I introduced several pieces of legislation including End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act… Mr. Runde,... Africa houses substantial critical mineral deposits... How could inclusion benefit American producers/consumers?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“If we're going ... carbon transition ... love mining ... AID ... international development community ... mining projects … root canal than work on mining projects … foreign aid on minerals/mining … clean … fair money … fair share resources/labor wise,” responded Mr. Runde.

Congresswoman Miller ended her questioning by asking Mr. Runde about Chinese trade agreements' threat in South America.

“I want [to ask] about [threat] Chinese trade agreements South America ... individual preference program Ecuador competing region/full Free Trade Agreement?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“We absolutely should have free trade agreement Ecuador… IDEA Act ok… China free trade agreement… lost opportunity us… pro-American president election soon knocking door while show friends,” responded Mr.Runde.

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