KENYAN PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA: STRENGTHENING US-AFRICAN TIES THROUGH TRADE - On February 6, 2020, President Trump and President Kenyatta announced their intent to elevate the bilateral relationship between the United States and Kenya by opening negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). The announcement was made only a day after Kenyatta last addressed a captivated audience at the Atlantic Council. Since then, the United States Trade Representative has moved the ball forward by outlining the administration’s ambitious goals for the FTA, including that this historic agreement should serve as the model for all future US trade deals with Africa. These negotiations proceeded alongside global efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic, with Kenya playing a leading role in the African response at a time when the country was vying for a spot on the United Nations Security Council.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/18/2020