EFF says SA must not bow to US pressure as Agoa exit looms

The EFF has responded to the United States decision to remove South Africa from Agoa, saying the country must build trade relationships on its own terms and not let Washington dictate them. The party’s comments were reported by The Citizen on 3 November 2026.

Agoa, short for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, gives eligible African countries preferential access to the American market. According to the report, the Trump administration has announced that South Africa will fall outside the arrangement from 1 January 2027. The reasons given include barriers to US trade and investment, and practices that Washington says threaten its national security and foreign policy interests.

EFF: a campaign of pressure

The EFF described the move as the result of months of hostility and economic pressure aimed at South Africa because it makes its own foreign policy choices. It also linked the souring of relations to South Africa’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, arguing that American support for Israel turned that case into a point of friction.

The party added that Washington has been uneasy about South Africa’s ties with Russia, China and Iran, and about its membership of Brics. In its words, South Africa cannot be expected to abandon longstanding diplomatic relations to suit US geopolitical preferences.

The EFF also said the country would cope without Agoa. It argued that the loss shows the risk of depending on market access that can be taken away when a country refuses a powerful partner’s political demands.

Exporters assess the damage

The report noted that some organisations believe goods covered by Agoa make up only a small share of total trade between the two countries, so there may be little reason for alarm at this stage.

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said exporters in the Western Cape are working out what the change will cost them. It named agriculture and maritime manufacturing as the regional sectors likely to feel it most directly. It passed on the following concerns from industry groups:

• The Citrus Growers Association pointed to possible supply chain and profit margin effects for growers in the Western and Northern Cape.
• Exporters Western Cape asked government to work closely with affected sectors on practical ways to soften the blow.
• The South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) flagged possible difficulties for luxury catamaran builders, since the US remains a major market for them.

What this means for ordinary South Africans

The change is due to take effect on 1 January 2027, so affected businesses have a few months to prepare. The report does not say how many jobs or how much export income could be at risk, and some groups believe the overall effect may be limited. For people working in citrus farming, boat building and related export industries, the key thing to watch is whether government and industry agree on measures to cushion the impact before the cut-off date.

This story is based on reporting by The Citizen.