After more than five years of mobilization, over 40 missions and public-private initiatives, and sustained advocacy with American decision-makers, a decisive step has been taken : the HOPE/HELP Act, which grants eligible Haitian apparel products preferential access to the U.S. market duty-free, has been extended until December 31, 2028.

The Association of Haitian Industries (ADIH) welcomes the promulgation, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by U.S. President Donald Trump, of the extension of the HOPE/HELP Act until December 31, 2028.

This presidential signature concludes a crucial legislative process. After its adoption by the U.S. Senate in August 2026 (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48197-extension-of-the-hope-help-law-passed-in-the-us-senate-but.html), the bill passed the House of Representatives on September 1st (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48351-haiti-economy-the-house-of-representatives-votes-the-renewal-of-hope-help-act.html) before being sent to the White House for promulgation (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48371-haiti-news-zapping.html).

As early as April 2021, several years before its expiration, ADIH launched a major advocacy campaign for the renewal of the HOPE/HELP Act. Behind these trade preferences lies more than just tariffs. It's about jobs, families, businesses, investments, and Haiti's ability to maintain its place in regional and international supply chains.

In 2021, the apparel sector accounted for nearly 61,000 direct jobs. Since then, the successive crises the country has faced, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of HOPE/HELP, have severely impacted the sector's activities and resulted in the loss of 40,000 jobs, which supported approximately 200,000 people.

Therefore, this extension until December 31, 2028, offers a crucial window of opportunity to stabilize the sector, reassure clients, preserve existing jobs, and create the conditions for gradually recovering some of the lost employment.

ADIH wishes to emphasize that this progress is primarily the result of a collective effort and sustained public-private mobilization over several years.

It extends its sincere thanks to the Haitian government and, in particular, to the Investment Facilitation Center (CFI), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), the Office of the Special Labor Mediator (BMST), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the labor unions that supported this campaign at its various stages.

ADIH extends special thanks to Sorini Samet & Associates LLC, which has been working alongside the Association since 2006 on the issue of trade preferences granted to Haiti.

From the adoption of HOPE in 2006, to HOPE II in 2008, HELP in 2010, the renewal of HOPE/HELP in 2015, the renewal of the CBTPA in 2020, and now this latest extension of HOPE/HELP in 2026, the firm has supported ADIH for nearly two decades in a patient effort to build alliances, raise awareness, and advocate with Congress and U.S. policymakers.

But this progress, however significant, is not an end in itself. Two more years are not enough to sustainably rebuild an industry, attract major investments, convince prime contractors to make long-term commitments, and restore the sector to its full potential.

ADIH's objective therefore remains unchanged: to secure a long-term renewal of HOPE/HELP.

The Association will continue its work with the Government, its members, its Haitian and international partners, and with American decision-makers to obtain the long-term visibility necessary to make Haiti a competitive industrial destination, encourage new investments, and create thousands of jobs.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48371-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48351-haiti-economy-the-house-of-representatives-votes-the-renewal-of-hope-help-act.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48197-extension-of-the-hope-help-law-passed-in-the-us-senate-but.html

HL/ HaitiLibre