Trump Administration Moves to Cut South Africa and Rwanda From US Trade Deal

Whoa! The Trump administration has officially announced it will pull South Africa and Rwanda out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beginning 1 January 2027.

AGOA lets qualifying African nations ship thousands of products to the United States duty‑free, a privilege now set to end for the two countries.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said an annual review found both nations were engaging in practices that do not meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. He added that Washington has already notified the two governments of the decision.

The administration pointed to barriers to U.S. trade and investment and “concerns over national security and foreign policy interests in the region.”

For Rwanda, officials also raised issues related to human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law and workers’ rights.

The move follows a recent U.S. Treasury sanction on Rwanda’s defence ministry for its alleged role in supporting M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, providing troops, weapons, equipment, logistics and training.

Regarding South Africa, the United States highlighted corruption as an additional concern.

“The Trump administration is working to ensure our African partners take the necessary steps to meet the eligibility criteria,” Greer said.

South Africa’s trade minister Parks Tau called the decision “unfortunate,” noting that Washington was raising new issues not covered in trade talks that began in 2025.

“We will continue to accelerate the diversification of South Africa’s export markets to protect jobs,” Tau added.

U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III said the outcome was “predictable and preventable” after South Africa rejected “real concerns raised by the US,” posting the comment on X.

This removal marks a significant shift in U.S.–Africa trade relations as the two countries prepare for the 2027 deadline.