USTR Greer issues statement on Trump's intent to terminate Rwanda and South Africa from AGOA
Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on President Trump’s Intent to Terminate Rwanda and South Africa from the AGOA Trade Preference Program
USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued a statement after President Trump notified Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intent to terminate both countries from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program as of January 1, 2027. Greer said the annual interagency review, led by USTR, found the two governments engaging in practices inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility criteria, including barriers to American trade and investment and practices posing a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in the region.
WASHINGTON — Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued a statement following President Trump notifying Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intent to terminate these countries from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program, as of January 1, 2027.
“The Office of the United States Trade Representative led the annual interagency review of sub-Saharan African countries’ eligibility for the AGOA trade preference program. Based on the review, President Trump found that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria,” said Ambassador Greer. “These concerning and pervasive practices include, but are not limited to, barriers that undermine American trade and investment and practices that pose a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in the region. The Trump Administration is working to ensure our African partners take the necessary steps to meet the eligibility criteria.”
Background:
In Rwanda, the Trump Administration is deeply concerned by the following issues: trade and investment barriers, rule of law, political pluralism, internationally recognized worker rights, human rights, and threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. In South Africa, the Trump Administration is deeply concerned by barriers to U.S. trade and investment, corruption, and threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
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Source: USTR · Press Releases · ustr.gov