Rwanda to ban used clothing imports despite US threats

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Pres. Paul Kagame has insisted that Rwanda will proceed with its plan to phase-out importation of second-hand clothing despite threats from the US. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan decided to fully ban imported second-hand clothes by 2019, arguing it would help member countries boost domestic clothes manufacturing. US Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association members argue that the decision by the East African Community to ban imports of used clothing is imposing significant economic hardship on the USA’s used clothing industry. The US petitioners argue that the ban directly contradicts requirements that African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiaries work towards eliminating “barriers to United States trade and investment.”