US to suspend South Africa's duty-free trade access
Washington cites trade barriers and other practices inconsistent with the AGOA agreement.
The United States intends to suspend South Africa's duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced on Monday that Washington found South Africa engaging in practices inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility criteria.
Greer stated that these practices include barriers undermining American trade and investment, and actions threatening US national security and foreign policy interests in the region. South Africa has benefited from AGOA for years.
The US administration has previously expressed concerns about trade barriers, rule of law, and human rights in South Africa. The South African government disputes claims of persecution of white people, calling them falsehoods spread by fringe groups.