US to suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free trade access
The move would end duty-free access for thousands of products and could hit South Africa’s largest AGOA exports, including citrus and car parts.
- On Monday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Washington intends to suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, effective January 1, 2027.
- President Donald Trump found that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are "inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility criteria," Greer said, citing trade barriers and human rights concerns.
- South Africa exported about $1.7 billion in goods under the program in 2025, though these exports represent only about 10% of its total US trade and 1% of its global exports.
- Prepared for a negative outcome, South Africa's trade ministry remains open to dialogue while President Cyril Ramaphosa pursues new trade deals with partners such as China.
- Administration officials flagged South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel as a foreign policy concern, while the government characterizes claims of white persecution as "a falsehood spread by fringe groups.
146 Articles
146 Articles
The Donald Trump administration left South Africa and Rwanda out of the so-called African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The measure could have an impact on South African territory as it is the one with the largest trade exchange with the United States and the one that benefited most from the tariff advantages of the measure.
‘It doesn’t spell doom’ — experts weigh in after Trump boots SA from Agoa
South Africa will, from next year, be removed from the duty-free benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), the US government announced. This was after the SA government had “constructively responded” to US concerns.
Trump will cut South Africa and Rwanda from trade program
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump will cut South Africa and Rwanda from a quarter-century-old Africa trade agreement at the end of the year as punishment for not meeting certain criteria, including policies on trade barriers and alignment with U.S. foreign policy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Monday. In South Africa’s […]
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