Trump to Remove Rwanda and South Africa from US Trade Deal

Donald Trump has notified Congress of his intention to remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) from 1 January 2027. The programme lets eligible African countries export thousands of products to the US duty-free. Washington cited barriers to US trade and investment and concerns about regional security and foreign policy; it also raised human-rights concerns about Rwanda and corruption in South Africa. The move comes amid strained relations and follows US sanctions against Rwanda’s defence ministry over its alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.