Ramaphosa pushes back as US trade tensions threaten AGOA deal

SOUTH AFRICA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended South Africa’s role in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), urging that any future discussions around tariffs must reflect the country’s broader regional responsibilities.

His comments came during a tense press briefing in the Oval Office, where former President Donald Trump reignited concerns about the future of the longstanding US-Africa trade framework.

“Agoa has not only supported jobs and investment in South Africa, but also across the Southern African region,” Ramaphosa told journalists.

“We are part of the oldest customs union in the world, and when we do settle down to talk about tariffs, we are part of the South African Customs Union. So we will be talking about tariffs in that broader context.”

The White House meeting turned testy as Trump criticized South Africa’s recent legal move against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a matter he later downplayed during the media appearance. Ramaphosa, visibly tired but firm, stood by the case.

“We were condemned at an early stage,” he said. “The role that we (South Africa) play is a constructive role.”

South Africa has found itself in an awkward spot as Washington considers removing some of the duty-free benefits under Agoa.

Trump recently announced a new set of tariffs, including a 30% increase on several South African goods. Though currently on a 90-day pause, analysts believe these could come into effect by mid-June.

Donald MacKay, CEO of XA Global Trade Advisors, commented earlier this year: “If Agoa does survive, it will most likely only be until September when the framework comes up for renegotiation.”

AGOA’s key role in SA fresh produce sector

South Africa’s fresh produce export sector relies heavily on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for eligible agricultural goods.

With 35% of all agricultural exports coming from fresh fruits, AGOA remains a critical pillar in maintaining trade stability and market competitiveness.

The nation’s fresh fruit industry contributes $3.3 billion to the economy, supporting a large portion of the agricultural workforce. With AGOA facilitating tariff-free trade, South African exports, including citrus, grapes, apples, pears, avocados, and nuts, have strengthened their foothold in the U.S. Over the past four years, total exports to the U.S. grew by 16%, reinforcing the agreement’s economic significance.

South Africa remains part of a 32-nation group that benefits from Agoa’s duty-free access to the US market. If Washington follows through with its threats, those gains could disappear, not just for South Africa, but for the region at large.

Despite the stormy exchange, Ramaphosa said he intends to press forward. “We will continue to engage,” he said, “because walking away helps no one.”

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