US Senator John Kennedy urged the removal of South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing. He questioned US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on South Africa AGOA removal, stating that Pretoria is “our enemy” and aligns with US adversaries. Greer agreed South Africa presents a unique challenge and expressed openness to differential treatment if Congress proposes it.
The hearing addressed a potential one-year extension of AGOA, which expired in September 2025. Greer noted South Africa already faces a 30% reciprocal tariff on its exports to the US, imposed in August 2025, higher than the 10% applied to most sub-Saharan African nations. Kennedy emphasized that without reforms, South Africa would unfairly benefit from any extension.
Tensions Fuel Push for South Africa AGOA Removal
US-South Africa relations have deteriorated, with Washington boycotting the G20 summit hosted by Pretoria last month and planning to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 in Miami. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused South Africa’s government of racism against white citizens in December 2025, echoing claims by President Donald Trump. These issues compound trade barriers, as Greer highlighted South Africa’s tariffs and non-tariff obstacles hindering US exports.
In November 2025, Kennedy introduced the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act, or “AGOA 2.0,” to extend the program for two years while explicitly excluding South Africa. The bill requires a review of bilateral ties and potential sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against South African officials. According to Greer in the hearing, South Africa must lower barriers to improve its tariff situation with the US.
Official Responses to Proposed Changes
A spokesperson for South Africa’s trade ministry told Reuters on an unspecified Wednesday in December 2025 that the country commits to lobbying for AGOA renewal in its current form to ensure inclusion. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated in July 2025 that the 30% tariff misrepresents trade data, noting 56% of goods enter South Africa duty-free and 77% of US goods at 0% duty.
Greer conceded South Africa’s industrial and agricultural strengths but stressed the need for reciprocal trade benefits. No further response from US officials on the bill’s progress appeared in the sources as of 11 December 2025. South Africa continues efforts to strengthen trade relations with the US, according to the Presidency.
