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Washington suspends South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA

By , based on Premium Times and Jeune Afrique

Washington suspends South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA

The United States removes South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA, the US trade preferences programme, in a decision announced on 2 November, according to Premium Times and Jeune Afrique. Premium Times reports that it follows Donald Trump’s accusations against Pretoria, which he said had persecuted white South Africans; Jeune Afrique says the withdrawal follows several months of diplomatic negotiations.

The Trump administration announced on 2 November that South Africa and Rwanda would be withdrawn from the US trade preferences programme, according to Premium Times and Jeune Afrique. Premium Times says the measure suspends the two countries from AGOA, which grants trade preferences to African countries.

The decision comes after Donald Trump accused Pretoria of persecuting white South Africans, an accusation Premium Times describes as false. Jeune Afrique says the withdrawal follows several months of diplomatic negotiations.

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Ongoing story · day by day

South Africa and AGOA

Washington plans to exclude South Africa from AGOA in 2027, while Parks Tau calls for dialogue to be preserved.

The latest developments

Earlier in this story

  1. 3 NovWashington plans to remove South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA
  2. 3 NovWashington plans to exclude South Africa from AGOA in 2027
  3. 3 NovParks Tau urges Washington and Pretoria to preserve AGOA dialogue
  4. 2 NovUS confirms South Africa will leave AGOA in 2027
  5. 2 NovWashington must decide whether to maintain South African AGOA benefits
The whole story: 11 articles →

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US confirms South Africa will leave AGOA in 2027

The United States has confirmed its intention to exclude South Africa from the AGOA trade programme, with the measure due to take effect in January 2027. US Ambassador Jamieson Greer attributed the decision to South African policies, while Pretoria disputes Washington’s concerns.

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Washington must decide whether to maintain South African AGOA benefits

Washington announced plans to exclude South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA, the agreement facilitating some African products’ access to the US market, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, according to RFI. The South African exports concerned reached about $1.7 billion last year and Pretoria would have 60 days to respond, reports SABC News.

🇿🇦 South Africa · Source: SABC News ·

US excludes South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA

The United States has announced the exclusion of South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA, the programme granting preferential access to the US market for certain African products. The measure is due to take effect on 1 January and Washington cites practices contrary to the programme’s criteria, according to O País citing African News.

🇿🇦 South Africa · Source: O País ·

Washington removes South Africa from AGOA programme

The United States has removed South Africa from the AGOA trade programme from January, depriving its exporters of the duty-free access provided under the scheme. The COSATU trade union federation fears higher costs and job losses, particularly for exporting farmers, according to SABC News.

🇿🇦 South Africa · Source: SABC News ·

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