South Africa braces for loss of US duty-free trade as bilateral ties sour
South Africa’s president warned that worsening relations with the United States could end the country’s preferential, duty-free access when the trade pact is renegotiated in 2028.
The president said Pretoria must plan for a scenario in which the United States removes South Africa from its duty-free trade program during the 2028 renegotiation. Tensions have risen after the US cut aid, expelled the South African ambassador and leveled false genocide accusations. While diplomatic overtures continue, the government is seeking alternative markets in China and India, even as cheap Chinese imports upset local producers.
Why it matters
Loss of US duty-free access could hurt South Africa’s export sector and reshape its trade relationships.
In this story
