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US moves to end South Africa's AGOA trade benefits

Published

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The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced on Monday that it intends to remove South Africa from AGOA eligibility. South Africa would lose its duty-free access to the US market from January 2027.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus, both partners in the Government of National Unity, blamed the ANC for the decision. DA MP Ryan Smith said the exclusion was avoidable and unnecessary. He blamed International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and called him diplomatically inept.

Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder said the US demands on South Africa were not unreasonable. He said Lamola refused to meet US requirements for normalising relations. The DA and the Freedom Front Plus predicted thousands of job losses and industry closures.

The government said South Africa will suffer losses because it must now pay tariffs on exports that were exempt from duties. The two parties urged voters to turn against the ANC in the ballot on Wednesday.

Former US diplomat Brooks Spector said the US midterm elections are unlikely to change the decision. He said the US president and his administration hold the power to decide which countries are eligible. He added that South Africa can still make its case to be included again.

Key facts

Who
Brooks Spector (former US diplomat); Lester Kiewit (CapeTalk interviewer); Donald Trump (US president); Office of the United States Trade Representative (announced intention to remove South Africa from AGOA)
What
The USTR announced on Monday its intention to remove South Africa from AGOA eligibility, which would end South Africa's duty-free trade benefits from January 2027. Former US diplomat Brooks Spector told CapeTalk that the US midterm elections are unlikely to change this decision.
When
3 November 2026
Where
South Africa, United States
Status
Reported

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