U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's Economy and Workers
- U.S. trade preference programs have significantly impacted Haiti's export-oriented industries, particularly apparel, mangoes, and sporting goods.
- The apparel sector is Haiti's largest manufacturing employer, benefiting substantially from special provisions in preference programs.
- Haiti's competitiveness faces challenges from poor infrastructure, business environment constraints, and workforce development needs.
- Preference program utilization varies by sector, with apparel showing high utilization rates while other sectors underutilize available benefits.
- Haiti's economy remains heavily dependent on trade preferences for maintaining export competitiveness in key sectors.
This comprehensive report by the United States International Trade Commission examines the impact of U.S. trade preference programs on Haiti's economy and workers over four decades (1980-2021). The study covers multiple preference programs including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), and Haiti-specific programs like HOPE I, HOPE II, and HELP.
The report provides detailed analysis of Haiti's overall economic structure, trade patterns, labor market conditions, and competitiveness. It examines how U.S. imports from Haiti have evolved, investment flows, working conditions, and wage trends. The study also assesses Haiti's business environment, infrastructure challenges, and workforce competitiveness.
Three detailed case studies are presented focusing on Haiti's key export industries: apparel, mangoes, and sporting goods (particularly baseballs). These case studies examine employment patterns, wages, working conditions, and how preference programs have specifically benefited these sectors. The apparel industry receives particular attention given its significance to Haiti's economy and employment.
The report concludes with an assessment of Haiti's potential for increased exports and recommendations for leveraging trade preferences more effectively. It provides comprehensive data on trade flows, utilization rates of preference programs, and their measurable impacts on Haiti's economic development and worker welfare.
How to cite
United States International Trade Commission (USITC), 2022, U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's Economy and Workers, https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er1223ll2038.htm