President Donald Trump notified Congress on Monday, November 2, 2026, of his intention to remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The trade program, established in 2000, provides eligible sub-Saharan African nations with duty-free access to U.S. markets for thousands of products. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that an annual review found both countries engaged in practices inconsistent with the program's eligibility requirements, leading to a planned termination date of January 1, 2027.
The decision follows recent U.S. government actions and statements regarding both nations. Last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Rwanda's defense ministry, alleging it directed troops and provided equipment to M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Regarding South Africa, the Trump administration has previously cited concerns over corruption and domestic policies, including affirmative action laws and a land law allowing expropriation without compensation. The U.S. also recently excluded South Africa from a Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative cited barriers to U.S. trade and investment, as well as threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, as reasons for the suspension. For Rwanda, Greer specifically noted concerns regarding human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law, and workers' rights. U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III described the outcome as "predictable and preventable," stating it resulted from the South African government's rejection of concerns raised by the U.S. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola previously stated the country would not "surrender its sovereignty" to meet U.S. demands.
For U.S. consumers and businesses, the change may result in higher prices or adjusted supply chains for these specific imported goods starting in early 2027. Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) stated the move against the program's top exporter could cause disruption to the U.S. economy. The suspension follows friction over foreign policy and domestic legislation, such as South Africa's affirmative action requirements and its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The Trump administration has indicated it is prepared to work with both partners if they take steps to meet eligibility criteria, which include maintaining market-based economies and eliminating trade barriers.
In response to the looming suspension, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated the country has been seeking new markets and has recently signed trade deals with other partners, including China. South Africa's trade ministry expressed continued openness to dialogue with the U.S. despite the notification. Unless the Trump administration reverses the decision based on policy changes in Kigali or Pretoria, the duty-free benefits for both nations will officially expire on January 1, 2027. The U.S. government has previously reinstated countries to the program after they addressed specific human rights or democratic concerns.