11:17 SAS Time, December 13,2025
By Thabelo Ramulifho
Washington, D.C. — South Africa’s status as a major beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been placed under intense scrutiny following sharp remarks by U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The Senator questioned why Pretoria should continue to receive preferential trade benefits, citing its perceived alignment with nations hostile to the United States.Senator Kennedy did not mince words, describing South Africa as being “buddies with all of America’s enemies” and directly challenging the rationale for its continued “special treatment” under the trade pact. His comments, made in Washington, D.C., were immediately picked up by South African and international media, underscoring the growing diplomatic and economic tensions between the two nations.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act is a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade policy, allowing eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export a wide range of products to the U.S. duty-free. South Africa has historically been one of the largest and most significant beneficiaries of the program, with key exports including automobiles, wine, and citrus. The growing scrutiny stems from Pretoria’s recent foreign policy decisions, which have been viewed in Washington as increasingly antagonistic.
Tensions have escalated over South Africa’s perceived alignment with countries such as Russia, China, and Iran, as well as its vocal criticism of U.S. foreign policy in various global forums.The economic stakes for South Africa are substantial, as AGOA provides a critical competitive advantage for its export-oriented industries.
The potential loss of this status could have a significant impact on employment and foreign exchange earnings. Continued eligibility questioned due to foreign policy. SA Exports Cars, wine, citrus, and other products. Special treatment is unwarranted for a perceived adversary, Kennedy said. Perceived alignment with U.S. adversaries (Russia, China, Iran).The implications of Senator Kennedy’s remarks are compounded by recent signals from the executive branch.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has already indicated that South Africa may be treated differently from other African states in the upcoming process for AGOA renewal, suggesting that the Senator’s concerns are shared at a higher level of the U.S. government. The remarks signal a critical juncture in U.S.–South Africa relations, with Pretoria’s trade future now appearing increasingly uncertain.