Republicans in the US Congress are calling on the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, to exclude South Africa from the African Growth and Trade Opportunity Act (AGOA) because of its close ties with Russia, China, Iran and its position on Israel, Fox News reports.
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Bloomberg previously reported that South Africa had asked the United States to consider an early extension of the AGOA, which expires in 2025.
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“Key Republicans are already putting pressure on the incoming Trump administration to exclude South Africa from lucrative trade agreements unless the South African government changes its stance on Russia, China, Iran and Israel,” the channel notes.
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According to Fox News, the biggest risk for South Africa is the end of duty-free exports of cars and citrus fruits to the United States under AGOA. This could lead to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in South Africa.
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The TV channel recalled that in the international arena, the Republic of South Africa refuses to condemn Russia’s special operation in Ukraine and is actively interacting with Iran. South Africa also accused Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which angered congressional Republicans.
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AGOA was passed in 2000 to boost trade in the region and enhance economic and investment cooperation between African countries and the United States. A key provision of the law is duty-free access to the American market for goods from beneficiary countries.
