AGOA accords duty-free access for eligible products to the largest single market in the world. It also provides beneficiary countries with a significant competitive advantage over nonAGOA countries, which must pay normal tariff rates to enter the United States. This is particularly true with respect to products that in many instances have high U.S. tariff rates, such as apparel, footwear, and agricultural products.
The program also promotes export diversification in AGOA countries through its provision of duty-free and quota-free benefits to virtually all products. AGOA encourages expanded regional integration and productionsharing among beneficiary countries and provides job creation and economic growth within those countries. In addition, AGOA provides significant opportunities for companies and business organizations to build relationships with their U.S. counterparts. It provides security for both SSA exporters and potential U.S. investors by ensuring AGOA benefits until 2025.