The United States begins a free trade with Kenya in an agreement signed virtually at Statehouse

President Uhuru Kenyatta witnesses a virtual launch of the Kenya-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at State House. PHOTO | STAR

President Uhuru Kenyatta witnesses a virtual launch of the Kenya-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at State House, Nairobi.

Kenya was represented by Trade CS Betty Maina, Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i and State House Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy Ms Ruth Kagia while the US delegation was led by the country’s Trade Representative Amb. Robert Lighthizer.

Previously, US President Donald Trump stated the United States plans to open trade agreement negotiations with Kenya.

The statement was first made by the office of the United States Trade Representative following a meeting at the White House with his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Kenya is a recognized leader across the continent, an important strategic partner of the United States, and there is enormous potential for us to deepen our economic and commercial ties,” said United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we look forward to negotiating and concluding a comprehensive, high-standard agreement with Kenya that can serve as a model for additional agreements across Africa.”

” The US believes that the agreement with Kenya will complement Africa’s regional integration efforts, including in the East African Community and the landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ” he added.