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Chamber warns South Africa could lose AGOA trade benefits this year

Published

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA says Washington could tell Pretoria as early as next week that it may be excluded from AGOA. The chamber says a deadline of around 2 November is close.

Chamber President Neil Diamond said the United States must give at least sixty days' notice for an annual-review termination to take effect on January first. The chamber says this places the deadline around 2 November.

Diamond urged the South African government to engage Washington immediately to protect preferential market access. The warning comes even though Washington recently extended AGOA to the end of 2028.

South Africa exported goods worth about $16.5 billion to the United States last year, according to the chamber.

Key facts

Who
Neil Diamond (President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA); South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (warning organisation; describes itself as the voice of South African business…)
What
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA warns that Pretoria could lose AGOA preferential trade benefits before the end of 2026, with a critical deadline approaching despite Washington recently extending the programme to the end of 2028. Chamber President Neil Diamond urges the South African government to engage Washington immediately.
When
27 October 2026
Where
South Africa, United States
Status
Reported

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