At the same time when Swaziland looses its privileges, Obama restored Madagascar’s AGOA eligibility yesterday in the wake of elections late last year. The United States had suspended the island from the trade deal after a military coup in 2009.
The United States already announced in May that it was lifting restrictions on assistance to Madagascar. Obama has invited President Hery Rajaonarimampianina to Washington for a US-Africa summit in August.
The United States established AGOA in 2000 in hopes of promoting democratic and economic standards by offering market access to the world’s largest economy.