According to a report by Reuters on November 2nd, U.S. Trade Representative Jaime Johnson announced that Washington would suspend South Africa and Rwanda’s participation in its flagship duty-free trade program for sub-Saharan Africa. This move will affect export products such as South African automotive parts, wine, and Rwandan coffee.
Grier informed Congress that these two countries will be suspended from participating in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) starting from January 1, 2027, due to concerns about human rights, corruption, and threats to American interests.
Since its enactment in 2000, this bill has been central to economic interactions between the United States and Africa, allowing thousands of products from eligible countries to enter the U.S. consumer market without tariffs.
"Donald Trump President determined that Rwanda and the government of South Africa have engaged in behaviors not conforming to AGOA qualification standards," said Greil in a statement.
Previously, the Trump administration took a series of measures against South Africa, accusing the South African government of persecuting South African whites. Pretoria denied these accusations.
According to Reuters, South Africa has been the biggest beneficiary of this program, exporting about $1.7 billion worth of goods to the United States under the AGOA framework in 2025. Its main export products include automotive parts, citrus fruits, and wine. Meanwhile, Rwanda’s export products include coffee and minerals.
South Africa’s Ministry of Trade stated on the evening of the 2nd that it would support industries affected by this decision and continue to seek trade, investment, and shared economic opportunities with the United States. In a statement, the ministry said, “AGOA remains important to South Africa, but it does not constitute the entirety of South Africa’s economic relationship with the United States.”
Washington stated that the suspension of the two countries’ qualifications is due to actions that weaken American trade and investment barriers, as well as those that threaten national security and foreign policy interests. The statement also highlighted concerns about the human rights and rule of law situation in Rwanda.
Experts say that the decision to suspend Rwanda's qualifications is likely related to the conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Washington has alleged that Rwanda supports the rebels in that region. The United States has imposed sanctions on several Rwandan individuals and institutions, including the Rwandan military and a gold refinery.
Since 2018, some benefits for Rwanda have been suspended; as the United States believes that these import tariffs constitute trade barriers, Rwanda is not allowed to export clothing under the AGOA framework.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Democratic Party chief criticized Trump's decision to revoke South Africa's qualification.
This is another trade decision based on dissatisfaction, going against the direction that responsible policies should take, said Representative Richard Neil. He urged the US to provide a more comprehensive explanation and outline what steps South Africa can take to re-enter the program.
Diplomatic Relations Committee Expert Ebenizer Obadiah stated that South Africa can still export to the United States, but with less favorable conditions; this move by the US may encourage African countries to achieve trade diversification.
He said that even if the next U.S. government changes its approach, Washington may find that South Africa and other countries have already found “new opportunities and new friends,” including China.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also said in recent weeks that South Africa must be prepared to be excluded from the program. The country is taking steps to prepare for this by seeking new markets and signing trade agreements with partners such as China.
