Wenstrup, Salazar unveil bipartisan bill to extend trade supports to Haiti

U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) on Sept. 20 introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend duty-free treatment to imports from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

The HELP Extension Act of 2023, H.R. 5614, would extend trade preferences for 10 years to the HOPE (Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement)-HELP (Haiti Economic Lift Program). HOPE-HELP works with the broader trade preferences system, known as the Caribbean Basin Initiative, to incentivize greater trade and cooperation with Haiti, according to information provided by Rep. Wenstrup’s staff. 

By extending the laws governing HOPE-HELP, Rep. Wenstrup said that the United States can send a message of support to Haiti, which is dealing with a humanitarian crisis resulting from gang violence and political instability.

“This legislation is important for our economy, as it will continue the work Congress is doing to near-shore our supply chains and diversify away from adversarial trading partners like China while helping our Haitian neighbors,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to build bipartisan support for renewing this important trade program.”

Rep. Wenstrup sponsored H.R. 5614 alongside five original cosponsors, including Rep. Salazar and U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL), to extend the HOPE Act, HOPE II, and the HELP Act, which collectively form a set of special trade preferences for Haiti known as the HOPE-HELP program, the information states.

“In the middle of a crisis of biblical proportions in Haiti, it is vital that businesses remain in the country to provide jobs, growth, and stability,” said Rep. Salazar. “The HOPE-HELP trade programs employ over 10,000 people in Haiti, and I am fighting to renew these programs for another 10 years. Congress must ensure these policies continue for the good of the Haitian people and stability in the region.”

Currently, HOPE-HELP is authorized through 2025, however uncertainty exists in the business community that is contributing to decreased investment in Haiti. The lawmakers said that renewing the trade preferences ahead of the 2025 extension would ensure there is no disruption in trade flows, and would give businesses the confidence to move their supply chains to Haiti rather than continuing to rely on adversarial nations like China.

“I’m proud to co-sponsor the HELP Extension Act, which, alongside the HOPE Act, sends a resounding message of support to our friends and neighbors in Haiti in its crisis brought by violence and instability,” said Rep. Wilson. “This legislation aids our economy, reinforces our commitment to Haiti, and aligns with our efforts to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on challenging trading partners like China.”

The Cintas Corp., and the American Apparel and Footwear Association endorsed the measure.