[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1473-1474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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, [email protected], or Bennett Harman, 
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, 
[email protected] 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 [email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     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.
     The applicant's personal resume.
     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:
     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.
     Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to 
the work of the TACA and USTR.
     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.
     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