SA government remains confident about Agoa renewal as deadline looms

TRADE, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau on Tuesday said he remained optimistic about the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), despite uncertainty around its timing and duration.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

Agoa provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for more than 1 800 products, in addition to the more than 5 000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences program.

There has been widespread uncertainty about the continuation of the Agoa after US President Donald Trump imposed hefty tariffs on goods imported to the US, including fruits, wine and other commodities from South Africa.

South Africa has been trying to push the Trump administration to extend the Agoa for another five years when it expires at the end of September 2025, while House Republicans have been trying to pass a law terminating over actions that undermine the US nation security interests.