The United States (US) preferential-trade deal in relation to several African regional economic powerhouses, known as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), passed through the American legislative lower chamber (House of Representatives) by a vote of 340 to 54 on January 12 this year. The bill will now be subjected to a vote in the Senate, before being approved by President Donald Trump. Although the passing of AGOA has been welcomed by the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa was excluded from the trade pact. AGOA which grants tariff-free access to more than 1,800 products from 32 nations in Africa. The US is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner.
“The current renewal, while short, provides the necessary relief to companies in the context of the tariffs implemented by the US,” South African Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said in a statement late Tuesday. Pretoria and other AGOA-eligible countries have advocated for a long-term renewal of the pact with all countries in the program. AGOA has been key to boosting trade relations between sub-Saharan Africa and the US since its inception in 2000. Two-way trade between the US and countries that qualify for market access under the pact exceeded $47 billion in 2023, with US exports at $18.2 billion lagging imports of $29.3 billion. The legislation’s lapse came as Trump escalated his global trade offensive, slapping new tariffs on US trading partners in August, including a 30% levy on South African exports that superseded the duty-free pact. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of Trump’s trade policy later on Wednesday.
Washington is offering a favourable trade agreement to a large number of African nations. South Africa’s exclusion from the agreement is meant to isolate Pretoria. This is a cause for concern, as the removal of our country could diminish its role as a leader in Africa. This move may be intentional, given the ruling political establishment in Pretoria’s unpopularity with the current American elite.
South Africa is widely regarded in the business world as ‘the Gateway to Africa’. Wealthy foreign investors who wish to conduct business across the continent often begin in South Africa to access trade with the rest of Africa. However, it has not been “business as usual,” as President Trump imposed tariffs on several nations worldwide, arguing that their exports to the US exceeded what they imported from the North American super power.
In South Africa’s case, our association with BRICS – viewed by Washington’s conservative political elite as serious rivals on the international stage – has resulted in closed-door treatment.
While South Africa has sought its continued inclusion in AGOA, the country has faced opposition from US officials including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Republican Senator John Kennedy. Greer said in December that he’s “happy to consider” removing South Africa from the pact, while Kennedy has described Pretoria as an “enemy” of the US. That criticism follows a deterioration in relations between Pretoria and Washington since Trump came to power in January 2025. The US leader has accused South Africa of unfair trade, expelled its ambassador, and slammed its international court case against Israel. Members of his administration have called out its relations with countries including Iran and Russia.
South Africa is being dealt a stern hand by the Americans whose motive stems from anger at the cases South Africa is pursuing against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Washington has remained a steadfast supporter of Tel Aviv’s ongoing war and alleged genocide in Gaza. The tone adopted by American officials such as Greer and Kennedy toward Pretoria exposes their prejudice.
South Africa must, therefore, search for alternative outlets to American trade. Europe, has vast trade interests in Africa, cannot rehabilitate them without partnering with South Africa. China, Russia, and even Latin America have their own interests to pursue in relation to Pretoria. Trade between South Africa and these nations will still have to be fair, but they will prove to be profitable.
We are and will always be the ‘Gateway to Africa’, President Ramaphosa must use this position in place of AGOA. US President Trump cannot be allowed to succeed in crippling South Africa. The future is multipolar. When one door closes, another will open.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
