US President Donald Trump has informed Congress of his plan to exclude South Africa and Rwanda from a preferential trade programme starting 1 January 2027.
The Trump administration cited regional foreign policy interests, national security concerns, and obstacles to US investment and trade as reasons for the move. Regarding Rwanda, Washington highlighted issues concerning workers' rights, the rule of law, political pluralism, and human rights. The US Treasury previously imposed sanctions on the defence ministry of Rwanda.
For South Africa, the US specifically pointed to corruption as a factor.
"The Trump administration is working to ensure our African partners take the necessary steps to meet the eligibility criteria," Greer said. Donald Trump previously accused South Africa of white genocide during a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House last year. Trump also established a US refugee pathway for Afrikaners.
US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III said it was regrettable that South African policies led to its termination from Agoa.
"This was a predictable and preventable outcome resulting from the rejection by South Africa's government of real concerns raised by the US," Leo Brent Bozell III wrote on X.
