Trump administration suspends South Africa from AGOA, ending duty-free access from 2027

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South Africa has been suspended from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – dealing a further blow to already strained relations with the United States.

The decision, announced by the Trump administration on Monday evening, will see South Africa lose its preferential duty-free access to the American market from the first of January 2027.

ALSO READ: America extends AGOA, but SA investment uncertainty remains

The move comes after months of diplomatic friction between Washington and Pretoria, with disagreements over South Africa’s land reform and black economic empowerment policies

This is coupled with false claims of persecution against white South Africans.

Tensions also escalated after South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide in Gaza, a case opposed by Washington.

The US capital said that South Africa’s trade barriers, corruption, and what it describes as threats to American national security and foreign policy interests are inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility requirements.

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