Why Ruto is losing in Kenya-US trade talks, experts
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Ruto losing in Kenya-US trade talks with experts calling for the negotiations to be put on hold
Ruto losing in Kenya-US trade talks with experts calling for the negotiations to be put on hold.
On Wednesday, April 12, stakeholders demanded that the US and Kenyan governments postpone their trade negotiations until after thorough discussions.
Small-business advocacy groups and the research-based organization Econews Africa were among the parties who claimed that the Kenyan government was granting more concessions than necessary, which will hurt Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Edgar Odari, the executive director of Econews Africa, said during a press conference that the government needs to put protections in place for small-scale traders before the discussions started.
He also demanded that both small- and big-picture concerns be taken into account before dealing with a superpower country.
” I think we’re a very small country. The economy of the US alone is 300 times bigger than Kenya. The US does significant stakeholder engagements before beginning negotiations.
“As they’re beginning negotiations on Monday, it is important that we do the same before the government engages with the other side,” Edgar Odari stated.
In addition, the lobby group advocated for the removal of agriculture and digital trade as some of the chapters of the trade negotiations.
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Kenya and the United States are set to conduct their first negotiating round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership from April 17 to April 20, 2023.
“During those meetings, the United States and Kenya engaged in productive discussions and exchanged views on the key concepts to be addressed in the trade areas set out on July 14, 2022, joint statement launching the STIP initiative,” read part of the statement.
The lobbying organization said that, during the initial conceptual discussions, which took place in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2023, their demands were initially disregarded.
They urged a more consultative approach to the trade negotiations in order to include all parties.
Agriculture, anti-corruption, digital trade, environment and climate action, good regulatory standards, and micro, small, and medium-sized companies are a few of the important topics the negotiations are centered on.
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