US Congress Renews HOPE/HELP Trade Law for Two Years, Boosting Haiti's Textile Sector

The US Senate and House of Representatives have voted to renew the HOPE/HELP laws for two years, extending the preferential trade program for Haiti until December 31, 2028, according to Le Nouvelliste. The renewal was inserted into a broader legislative package that President Donald Trump must sign and promulgate before it takes effect. The measure is described by industry actors as a 'bouffée d'oxygène' (breath of fresh air) for Haiti's textile subcontracting sector, which had awaited the news for months. According to Le Nouvelliste, the extension brings a degree of predictability for buyers and the possibility of preserving the sector's 22,000 jobs. Several stakeholders expressed gratitude toward the United States. Efforts continue to secure a longer renewal of roughly ten years. The newspaper's editorial raises the question of whether Haiti will be able to fully benefit from the renewal, noting that the US legislative process is a particular exercise requiring lawmakers to combine measures into a single package. Le Nouvelliste referenced earlier reporting in which Georges Sassine warned about the consequences of a short-term renewal, and noted James Monazard's mission to Washington on the HOPE/HELP programs.