The EAC region has inched closer to setting up a Regional Trade Remedies Committee, a pivotal platform tasked with addressing issues of dumping goods, safeguards, and subsidies.  The set up of the committee is funded by USAID-ERRA, with the EAC Secretariat undertaking implementation.

The establishment of a Trade Remedies Committee involves several key actions, including engaging in National Consultations with Party States to i) formulate a harmonized EAC Trade Remedies law, ii) amend the Customs Union Protocol (CUP) to include all seven Partner States, which is an expansion from the initial three, and iii) facilitate the nomination of members from countries to participate in the Committee.

The EAC Secretariat held consultative workshops in Uganda and Rwanda, where the following Strategic actions emerged:

1. Accelerating consultations with relevant institutions regarding the ratification of the Customs Union Protocol and its submission to the EAC Secretariat by October 30, 2023, and
2. Using the EAC Model Law on Trade Remedies as a guiding framework in the development of the respective National Laws on Trade Remedies.

The EAC Secretariat aims to conclude national consultations by September and convene a regional workshop in October to operationalize the Committee.