Notice of AGOA Eligibility Termination for South Africa and Rwanda Starting January 2027

US President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of South Africa and Rwanda of his intent to terminate their eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) effective January 1, 2027, following the US Trade Representative's (USTR) November 2 annual interagency review, which found both countries' practices inconsistent with AGOA eligibility criteria. The terminations have not yet taken effect, and the USTR cited trade and investment barriers, corruption, and threats to US national security and foreign policy interests regarding South Africa, without enumerating specific cases in its statement. The move matters because AGOA provides duty-free access to the US market for thousands of African exports, and its loss could hit South Africa's automotive and agricultural sectors—key beneficiaries of the program—while Rwanda's apparel and agri-exports also face tariff exposure. The announcement adds to existing trade friction between Washington and Pretoria, which has already seen strained diplomatic relations this year. Watch for whether Congress or the two governments respond or seek to reverse the decision before the January 2027 effective date, and for any further AGOA eligibility changes emerging from the annual review.