US trade officials remain tight-lipped about SA’s future in AGOA

JOHANNESBURG - United States (US) trade officials remain tight-lipped about South Africa's future in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

South Africa's eligibility to remain a beneficiary of AGOA came under the spotlight in 2023 after the US questioned its ties with Russia, China and Iran.

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At a briefing on the outcomes of 2024’s AGOA Forum, US trade officials said it was too early to know which sub-Saharan African countries will survive the chop.

South Africa’s bilateral ties with the US were tested recently when some members of the US Congress wanted Pretoria to be punished for its foreign policy.

In particular, claims that South Africa sold arms and ammunition to Russia in the war against Ukraine led to a diplomatic storm.

Some members of Congress called for an out-of-cycle review to decide South Africa's future.

Outside of that, AGOA already mandates annual reviews to ensure countries uphold eligibility requirements.

Assistant US trade representative for Africa Connie Hamilton said that process is still under way.

“South Africa, like all the other countries, will be evaluated based on the criteria and then we’ll have a decision, but it’s too early now to predict what the outcome will be for any country, and not just for South Africa.”

The renewal of the legislation is also still up for discussion.