US tells Kenya to publicly support Israel or forget free trade deal
The US insists Kenya must not tax digital products like e-books or music, and Nairobi must include no provisions that require US firms operating to store data locally.
Summary
Inclusion of a third party, Israel, in the negotiation agenda, has seen lobby groups in Nairobi warn that the agreement could be too risky to Kenya’s interests.
The US indicates that the deal with Kenya should, with respect to commercial partnerships, discourage actions that prejudice or discourage business between the US and Israel.
Kenya has often recognised Israel, but rarely makes a public statement endorsing one side or the other and supports the ultimate two-State solution for Palestine and Israel.
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By AGGREY MUTAMBO
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The US wants Kenya to support Israel’s political and commercial interests, or forget a free trade deal (FTA) with the world’s biggest economy.
This is one of a raft of conditions set in the ongoing FTA negotiations between Nairobi and Washington.
The US has indicated in its objectives seen by The EastAfrican that the deal with Kenya should, with respect to commercial partnerships, discourage actions that prejudice or discourage business between the US and Israel.
Washington argues that the FTA should “discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel.”
The US also wants the “elimination of politically motivated, non-tariff barriers on Israeli goods, services, or other commerce imposed on Israel; and the elimination of State-sponsored, unsanctioned foreign boycotts of Israel, or compliance with the Arab League Boycott of Israel.”
The inclusion of a third party, Israel, in the negotiation agenda, has seen lobby groups in Nairobi warn that the agreement could be too risky for Kenya.
good ole “jared” at the helm again! anyways Kenya had always been a backer of Isreal from time and it wasn’t even clandestine, if I’m not mistaken, some them with senior positions in the govt. are even “assets” like their counterparts in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda, the 2 latter provide Isreal the “utilities” and in return, Isreal provide them with the “insulation” :thumbup so much so that they can even loot and plunder Congo’$ resources in the eastern part of the country with fanfare and without repercussions :thumbup it is very evident in the “development” of Kigali and the “re-development” of Kampala :travel