United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on 2 November that President Donald Trump will remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preferences from 1 January 2027, citing trade barriers and security and foreign policy concerns. South Africa, the programme’s largest exporter, loses duty-free access for goods such as citrus, macadamia nuts and sorbets; its vehicles, steel and aluminium already face US tariffs of 25–50% that outweigh the preference. Trade Minister Parks Tau said South Africa has 60 days to appeal and will help affected firms find other markets. The added duties leave Western and Northern Cape citrus growers at a disadvantage against Peru and Chile in the US market.
Sources
- Associated Press (via Chronicle Online): https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/world/trump-administration-will-cut-south-africa-and-rwanda-from-the-agoa-trade-program/article_dcd68620-5f2d-55e6-be11-ece72044c9ac.html
- Daily Maverick: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-03-what-now-experts-weigh-in-after-trump-boots-sa-from-agoa/
- BusinessDay: https://www.businessday.co.za/news/2026-11-02-us-removes-south-africa-from-agoa-trade-pact/