US to end South Africa and Rwanda duty-free trade access from January 2027

US to end South Africa and Rwanda duty-free trade access from January 2027

US to end South Africa and Rwanda duty-free trade access from January 2027

President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of South Africa and Rwanda that the United States intends to end their duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 1 January 2027. The US Trade Representative said an annual review found both governments were acting inconsistently with the programme's eligibility rules, citing barriers to American trade and investment and concerns over national security and foreign policy. For South Africa, Washington also cited corruption; for Rwanda, it raised rule-of-law and political-pluralism concerns. South Africa, the programme's largest beneficiary, exported about $1.7 billion of goods to the US under AGOA in 2025, including cars and farm products. Pretoria said the notice gives 60 days' warning and that it remains open to dialogue.

President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of South Africa and Rwanda that the United States intends to end their duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 1 January 2027. The US Trade Representative said an annual review found both governments were acting inconsistently with the programme's eligibility rules, citing barriers to American trade and investment and concerns over national security and foreign policy. For South Africa, Washington also cited corruption; for Rwanda, it raised rule-of-law and political-pluralism concerns. South Africa, the programme's largest beneficiary, exported about $1.7 billion of goods to the US under AGOA in 2025, including cars and farm products. Pretoria said the notice gives 60 days' warning and that it remains open to dialogue.

President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of South Africa and Rwanda that the United States intends to end their duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 1 January 2027. The US Trade Representative said an annual review found both governments were acting inconsistently with the programme's eligibility rules, citing barriers to American trade and investment and concerns over national security and foreign policy. For South Africa, Washington also cited corruption; for Rwanda, it raised rule-of-law and political-pluralism concerns. South Africa, the programme's largest beneficiary, exported about $1.7 billion of goods to the US under AGOA in 2025, including cars and farm products. Pretoria said the notice gives 60 days' warning and that it remains open to dialogue.