Notice2022-00245
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 11, 2022
Issuing agencies
Trade Representative, Office of United States
Abstract
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is establishing a new four-year charter term and accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA). The TACA is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy and development matters that have a significant impact on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1473-1474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00245]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade
Advisory Committee on Africa
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is
establishing a new four-year charter term and accepting applications
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the
Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA). The TACA is a trade advisory
committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S.
Trade Representative on trade policy and development matters that have
a significant impact on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership
on the TACA for the four-year charter term beginning in March 2022. To
ensure consideration before the new charter term, you should submit
your application by February 4, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ethan Holmes, Director for Private
Sector Engagement, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f0b58498919edebddeb89f9c9d9583b085838482de959f80de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f2a1b070e01412241270003020a1c2f1a1c1b1d410a001f41080019">[email protected]</span></a>, or Bennett Harman,
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#de9c96bfacb3bfb09eabadaaacf0bbb1aef0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="50121831223d313e10252324227e353f207e373f26">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-395-9612.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C.
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture,
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated
that authority to the U.S. Trade Representative in Executive Order
11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. In addition, section 14
of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004, Public Law 108-274, 118 Stat.
829-830 (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3701 note) specifically acknowledges the
TACA, which USTR established under these authorities. With limited
statutory exceptions, the TACA is subject to the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Pursuant to these authorities, the U.S. Trade Representative
intends to establish a new four-year charter term for the TACA, which
will begin in March 2022.
The TACA is a discretionary trade advisory committee established to
provide general policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade
policy and development matters that have a significant impact on the
countries of sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, the TACA provides
general policy advice on issues that may affect the countries of sub-
Saharan Africa including: (1) Negotiating objectives and bargaining
positions before entering into trade agreements; (2) the impact of the
implementation of trade agreements; (3) matters concerning the
operation of any trade agreement once entered into; and (4) other
matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and
administration of the trade policy of the United States. The TACA also
facilitates the goals and objectives of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA) and assists in maintaining ongoing discussions
with sub-Saharan African trade and agriculture ministries and private
sector organizations on issues of mutual concern, including regional
and international trade concerns and World Trade Organization issues.
The TACA meets as needed, at the call of the U.S. Trade Representative
or their designee, or two-thirds of the TACA members, depending on
various factors such as the level of activity of trade negotiations and
the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative.
II. Membership
The TACA is composed of not more than 30 members who have expertise
in general trade, investment and development issues and specific
knowledge of United States-Africa trade and investment trends including
trade under the AGOA; constraints to trade and investment (including
infrastructure, energy and financing); trade facilitation measures;
sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures and technical barriers to trade;
trade capacity building; investment treaty negotiations; United States-
Africa investment and private sector partnerships; and implementation
of World Trade Organization agreements. Members may represent industry,
organized labor, investment, agriculture, services, non-profit
development organizations, academia, and small business. Fostering
diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) is one of the top
priorities.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints TACA members for a term that
will not exceed the duration of this charter. Members serve at the
discretion of the U.S. Trade Representative. Individuals can be
reappointed for any number of terms.
The U.S. Trade Representative is committed to a trade agenda that
advances racial equity and supports underserved communities and will
seek advice and recommendations on trade policies that eliminate social
and economic structural barriers to equality and economic opportunity,
and to better understand the projected impact of proposed trade
policies on communities of color and underserved communities. The U.S.
Trade Representative strongly encourages diverse backgrounds and
perspectives and makes appointments to the TACA without regard to
political affiliation and in accordance with equal opportunity
practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
USTR strives to ensure balance in terms of sectors, demographics, and
other factors relevant to USTR's needs. Insofar as practicable, TACA
membership will reflect regional diversity and be broadly
representative of key sectors and groups of the economy with an
interest in trade and sub-Saharan Africa issues, including U.S.
citizens who are diaspora African and U.S. citizens of African descent
with requisite knowledge and experience.
TACA members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend
meetings or otherwise participate in TACA activities.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints TACA members to represent
their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on sub-Saharan Africa trade,
and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is their ability
to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge of and
expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work of the
TACA and USTR. USTR anticipates that almost all TACA members will serve
in a representative capacity with a very limited number serving in an
individual capacity as a subject matter expert. These members, known as
special government employees or SGEs, are subject to conflict of
interest rules and may have to complete a financial disclosure report.
[[Page 1474]]
III. Request for Nominations
USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the TACA. To apply
for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility
criteria at the time of application and at all times during their term
of service as a TACA member:
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S.
governmental entity.
3. If serving in an individual capacity as an SGE, the applicant
cannot be a federally registered lobbyist.
4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security
clearance.
6. For representative members, who will comprise virtually all of
the TACA membership, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues
relevant to U.S. African trade and investment or have personal
experience or expertise in United States-sub-Saharan African trade.
For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S.
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
7. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding sub-Saharan
Africa trade issues.
In order to be considered for TACA membership, interested persons
should submit the following to Ethan Holmes, Director for Private
Sector Engagement, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d194a5b9b0bfff9cff99bebdbcb4a291a4a2a5a3ffb4bea1ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96d3e2fef7f8b8dbb8def9fafbf3e5d6e3e5e2e4b8f3f9e6b8f1f9e0">[email protected]</span></a>:
<bullet> Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the
individual requesting consideration.
<bullet> If applicable, a sponsor letter on the organization's
letterhead containing a brief description of the manner in which
international trade affects the organization and why USTR should
consider the applicant for membership.
<bullet> The applicant's personal resume.
<bullet> An affirmative statement that the applicant and the
organization they represent meet all eligibility requirements.
USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in
accordance with equal opportunity practices that promote diversity,
equity, inclusion, and accessibility, based on the following factors:
<bullet> Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S.
organization's and its subsector's interests on sub-Saharan Africa
trade matters.
<bullet> Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to
the work of the TACA and USTR.
<bullet> How they will contribute to trade policies that eliminate
social and economic structural barriers to equality and economic
opportunity and to understanding of the projected impact of proposed
trade policies on communities of color and underserved communities.
<bullet> Ensuring that the TACA is balanced in terms of points of
view, demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.
Constance Hamilton,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Office of the United
States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2022-00245 Filed 1-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F2-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 11, 2022.
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