US to suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free trade access

The United States will suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act from January 1, 2027. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said both countries failed to meet the programme’s eligibility criteria; South Africa was its largest beneficiary, exporting about $1.7bn to the US under AGOA in 2025. Washington cited trade barriers, the rule of law and human rights in Rwanda, and corruption, trade barriers and national security concerns in South Africa. Tensions with Pretoria also concern its foreign policy and the genocide case it brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice.