SA’s AGOA ousting was ‘predictable and preventable’, says US ambassador Bozell

0 Leo Brent Bozell and President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a meeting on 27 August 2026 at Mahlamba Ndlopfu. Image: US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa via X (@USAmbRSA) Home » SA’s AGOA ousting was ‘predictable and preventable’, says US ambassador Bozell

US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III says South Africa’s removal from AGOA was a predictable outcome of ignoring ‘real concerns’.

0 Leo Brent Bozell and President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a meeting on 27 August 2026 at Mahlamba Ndlopfu. Image: US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa via X (@USAmbRSA) United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, has described Washington’s decision to terminate South Africa’s duty-free trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as a “predictable and preventable outcome”.

Writing on X on 2 November 2026, Bozell stated that the move followed “the rejection by South Africa’s government of real concerns raised by the US government”.

“I remain hopeful that we can find a path forward to address our larger bilateral concerns, but the South African government must understand the gravity of the situation,” Bozell posted.

It is regrettable that South African policies led to the termination of AGOA for South Africa. This was a predictable and preventable outcome resulting from the rejection by South Africa's government of real concerns raised by the U.S. Government. I remain hopeful that we can…

The announcement follows confirmation by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that President Donald Trump intends to cut South Africa and Rwanda from the trade preference programme effective 1 January 2027.

Washington cited persistent trade barriers, domestic corruption, and national security divergences, and now Pretoria has a 60-day window to engage US officials before any formal suspension takes effect.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau previously assured exporters that South Africa’s economy remains resilient, noting that 89% of exports to the US enter under standard World Trade Organization terms.

Affected AGOA exports are valued at $1.7 billion (about R28 billion), representing 10% of bilateral shipments.

While overall bilateral trade reached $28.8 billion (about R475 billion) in 2025, supporting 134 600 local jobs across 600 American companies, diplomatic relations have frayed over Pretoria’s non-aligned stance, land reform policies, and political rhetoric.

0 comments ‘SA People’ is hiring! Freelance writer positions available. Send us your CV