Trump to remove Rwanda and South Africa from US trade deal

US President Donald Trump has notified Congress of his intention to remove South Africa and Rwanda from a preferential trade programme, from 1 January 2027.

Key points

• US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III remarked it was regrettable that South African policies led to its termination from Agoa.
• The African Expansion and Opportunity Act (Agoa) allows eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the US duty-free.
• The US Treasury remarked Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training.
• "The Trump administration is working to ensure our African partners take the necessary steps to meet the eligibility criteria, " Greer remarked.
• "This was a predictable and preventable outcome resulting from the rejection by South Africa's government of real concerns raised by the US, " he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, the African Expansion and Opportunity Act (Agoa) allows eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the US duty-free.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer remarked in an official note that an annual review had identified that both countries were engaging in practices inconsistent with the programme's eligibility requirements.

He continued that the Trump administration had additionally notified the two countries of the decision.

As well as reservations over national security and foreign policy interests in the region, the Trump administration cited barriers to US trade and investment.

In Rwanda's case, Washington additionally triggered concern concerning human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law and workers' rights.

Meanwhile, the move comes barely a week after Rwanda's defence ministry was hit with sanctions by US Treasury for its alleged role in the armed rebellion in eastern DR Congo.

Notably, the US Treasury remarked Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training. For South Africa, the US additionally pointed to corruption.

Meanwhile, the announcement comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Washington and both countries, with the proposed termination threatening their access to preferential trade arrangements with the US.

Last year, Trump accused South Africa of white genocide in a session with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House and rolled out a US refugee pathway for Afrikaners.

Taken together, the developments around trump to remove Rwanda and South Africa from US trade deal point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.