Trump administration suspends South Africa from AGOA, ending duty-free access from 2027 - EWN

South Africa has been suspended from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - dealing a further blow to already strained relations with the United States.

The decision, announced by the Trump administration on Monday evening, will see South Africa lose its preferential duty-free access to the American market from the first of January 2027.

This is coupled with false claims of persecution against white South Africans.

Tensions also escalated after South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide in Gaza, a case opposed by Washington.

The US capital said that South Africa's trade barriers, corruption, and what it describes as threats to American national security and foreign policy interests are inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility requirements.