This legislation, known as the "HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act of 2025," aims to modify and significantly extend the preferential duty treatment program for Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). Its primary goals are to support Haiti's economic stability and growth by ensuring continued access to the U.S. market, while also strengthening labor protections and fostering export diversification. The bill modifies eligibility requirements by allowing interested parties to request reviews of individual producers for compliance with core labor standards and Haitian labor laws related to minimum wages and hours of work . It also changes compliance assessments from a biennial to an annual basis and grants the President authority to withdraw, suspend, or limit preferential treatment for producers failing to comply, even while receiving technical assistance. A key provision is the extension of the preferential duty treatment program, generally from 2025 to 2037 , for various categories of articles. It also adds a safe and healthy working environment as an explicit eligibility factor for Haiti's participation in the program, reinforcing the commitment to improved labor conditions. Furthermore, the bill mandates the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to provide technical assistance to Haiti to increase and diversify its exports to the United States. This assistance will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Haitian firms, strengthening trade support institutions, and developing strategies for utilizing U.S. trade preference programs, with a particular emphasis on agricultural processing and the apparel sector. The USTR is required to coordinate with the International Trade Center and establish a participatory process involving Haitian government agencies, employers, workers, and labor unions.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Foreign Trade and International Finance
HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5209| House
| Updated: 9/8/2025
This legislation, known as the "HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act of 2025," aims to modify and significantly extend the preferential duty treatment program for Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). Its primary goals are to support Haiti's economic stability and growth by ensuring continued access to the U.S. market, while also strengthening labor protections and fostering export diversification. The bill modifies eligibility requirements by allowing interested parties to request reviews of individual producers for compliance with core labor standards and Haitian labor laws related to minimum wages and hours of work . It also changes compliance assessments from a biennial to an annual basis and grants the President authority to withdraw, suspend, or limit preferential treatment for producers failing to comply, even while receiving technical assistance. A key provision is the extension of the preferential duty treatment program, generally from 2025 to 2037 , for various categories of articles. It also adds a safe and healthy working environment as an explicit eligibility factor for Haiti's participation in the program, reinforcing the commitment to improved labor conditions. Furthermore, the bill mandates the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to provide technical assistance to Haiti to increase and diversify its exports to the United States. This assistance will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Haitian firms, strengthening trade support institutions, and developing strategies for utilizing U.S. trade preference programs, with a particular emphasis on agricultural processing and the apparel sector. The USTR is required to coordinate with the International Trade Center and establish a participatory process involving Haitian government agencies, employers, workers, and labor unions.