AGOA extended to 2028: South Africa’s US trade future remains uncertain
The extension gives exporters two more years of duty-free access, but Washington can still reconsider South Africa’s eligibility before January 2027.
- On Wednesday, September 2, President Donald Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act through December 31, 2028, for eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
- Originally established by President Bill Clinton in 2000, AGOA provides duty-free U.S. market access to African exporters, though recent stop-start renewals have hindered trade and caused African exports to drop sharply during lapse periods.
- Around 22% of South Africa's exports to the U.S. benefit from AGOA, with Trade union Solidarity estimating the program supports as many as 500,000 jobs across the country, following years of exclusion threats.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer labeled South Africa a "unique problem," citing Washington's concerns over the nation's ties with Russia, China, and Iran, plus domestic policies including Black Economic Empowerment and the Expropriation Act.
- This two-year extension offers exporters temporary relief but does not guarantee South Africa's continued inclusion until 2028, as the Trump administration continues evaluating ways to reshape America's trade relationship with Africa.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Has Trump finally found a foreign trade deal he can get behind?
Tucked away in the funding package passed by Congress this week is a provision that extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through the end of 2028.The two-year extension of AGOA — a preferential trade deal that offers eligible sub-Saharan countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of goods — answers the White House’s request that the agreement be extended on a short-term basis while negotiations take place over it…
Ways & Means chair lauds AGOA, Haiti trade program extensions
House Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) on Thursday applauded President Trump for singing a continuing resolution that includes measures extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act and two Haiti trade preference programs through the end of 2028. Trump on Wednesday signed H.R. 6500 extending government funding through Dec. 11, after the House on Tuesday voted 370-48 to send it to the president's desk. Smith last December introd…
AGOA extended to 2028: South Africa’s US trade future remains uncertain
South African exporters have been given a much-needed reprieve after the United States extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until the end of 2028, Cape {town} Etc reports. But while the extension gives businesses more breathing room, it does not guarantee that South Africa will still be part of the programme when the new trading period begins. US President... Read more →
Good news for South African exporters as US extends AGOA to 2028
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