US to end South Africa, Rwanda AGOA benefits from January 2027
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says Trump will terminate South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA duty-free access from January 2027, citing eligibility criteria.
The story in focus
The US intends to terminate South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA trade preferences starting January 2027, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, citing practices inconsistent with the programme's eligibility criteria. South Africa, AGOA's largest beneficiary, exported about $1.7bn of goods under the programme in 2025.
- US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the intended termination on Monday, 2 November 2026, effective January 2027
- South Africa exported about $1.7bn of goods to the US under AGOA in 2025, making it the programme's largest beneficiary
- Greer cited trade and investment barriers plus national security and foreign policy concerns, without giving specific examples
- Washington also raised human rights, rule of law and workers' rights concerns for Rwanda, which denies M23 ties
- South Africa's trade ministry said AGOA exports are about 10% of its US exports and 1% of global exports
Termination notice and stated grounds
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday that President Donald Trump intends to terminate South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, with the change taking effect in January 2027. AGOA, introduced in 2000, gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for more than 1,800 products and is reviewed annually; Trump extended it in February.
Greer said both governments engage in practices inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility criteria, including barriers to US trade and investment and threats to US national security and foreign policy interests in the region. The statement did not give specific examples. Reporting also cited concerns over corruption in South Africa and, for Rwanda, human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law and workers' rights.
Trade stakes and responses
South Africa has been AGOA's largest beneficiary, exporting about $1.7bn of goods such as motor vehicles and parts, citrus and wine under the programme in 2025. Its trade ministry said it was prepared for a negative outcome, noting AGOA exports are roughly 10% of its exports to the US and 1% of global exports. The government said Washington remains an important trade partner and that support would be provided to affected sectors.
The citrus industry warned that its value chain on both sides of the Atlantic is under threat. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said South Africa must seek new markets, including China. The Rwanda decision follows US Treasury sanctions on Rwanda's defence ministry over alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo; Kigali denies ties to the group.
Context
The announcement comes amid strained US relations with both countries. For South Africa, reporting points to US objections over its foreign policy, including its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which Israel denies.
When would South Africa and Rwanda lose AGOA duty-free access?
From January 2027, according to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said Trump intends to terminate both countries from the programme over practices inconsistent with its eligibility criteria.
Sources & further reading
- US to drop South Africa, Rwanda from duty-free trade initiative ↗DW
- US to suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free trade access ↗Al Jazeera
- Trump to remove Rwanda and South Africa from US trade deal ↗BBC News
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