In a significant bipartisan move, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation extending critical trade preferences for Haiti through December 31, 2028. The passage of Bill H.R. 6504 ensures the continuation of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, marking a crucial development in U.S.-Caribbean relations.
Democratic Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a primary advocate for the legislation, hailed the decision as a strategic victory for both Haiti and United States regional engagement. “The bipartisan support for reauthorizing HOPE/HELP demonstrates that when it comes to supporting our neighbors and advancing our shared interests, Democrats and Republicans can work together,” Plaskett stated in an official release.
The trade preference program enjoys substantial congressional backing due to its dual benefits: strengthening Haiti’s economic foundation while advancing U.S. strategic interests. The program supports Haitian apparel manufacturing that utilizes American cotton and contributes to shifting supply chains from China to the Western Hemisphere.
Plaskett acknowledged key figures instrumental in the legislation’s passage, including Ranking Member Neal, Chairman Smith, Dr. Murphy, and Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States, Lionel Delatour. She also recognized the efforts of civil society organizations and American manufacturers who advocated for the program’s renewal.
The extension promises greater economic stability for Haiti by fostering bilateral trade relations, providing investor certainty, and creating employment opportunities. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration before potentially reaching the President’s desk for final approval.