Johannesburg – South Africa’s increasingly strained relationship with the United States is raising fresh concerns over the country’s future access to preferential trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), amid sharp exchanges between International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and the Trump administration.
According to News24, sources have warned that Lamola’s criticism of US President Donald Trump and Washington’s policies could complicate efforts to protect South Africa’s trade relationship with the US.
The warning comes as Pretoria and Washington remain at odds over issues including Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), land reform, South Africa’s foreign policy and the treatment of Afrikaners.
Lamola recently said South Africa should prepare for the “worst-case scenario”, arguing that Washington was effectively seeking changes to policies that Pretoria regards as matters of national sovereignty.
“South Africa has to prepare itself for the worst-case scenario because the reality is that we are expected to surrender our sovereignty,” he said during an interview with SABC News.
Lamola said these were matters that “belong to the sovereignty of the South African people”.
The comments came amid a fresh diplomatic dispute after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced targeted visa restrictions against foreign nationals whom Washington says are responsible for or complicit in policies involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination and incitement of violence against minority groups.
AGOA uncertainty
The US has extended AGOA to December 2028, maintaining preferential market access for eligible African countries. However, Business Day reported that it remained unclear whether South Africa would continue to qualify for the benefits amid the deteriorating relationship with Washington.
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for more than 1,800 products, according to the US Trade Representative. Eligibility is subject to requirements including progress towards market-based economies, the rule of law, political pluralism and human rights protections.
The South African government has sought to maintain engagement with Washington despite the political disagreements.
Speaking to Reuters, Lamola said South Africa remained willing to discuss the issues raised by the US.
“South Africa remains open to engage with the US administration on all the issues that they have put on the table,” he said.
“We are predictable and reliable partners, and we see the U.S. as an important strategic partner.”
The minister’s remarks came after talks between the two countries had reportedly made progress on areas including investment and mining before the latest US visa restrictions were announced.
Trade ties remain significant
Despite the diplomatic tensions, South Africa and the US remain significant trading partners.
IOL reported that South Africa exported about R260 billion worth of goods to the US in 2025, although more than 89% of those exports entered under ordinary Most Favoured Nation terms rather than AGOA preferences. Trade expert Donald MacKay said the political dispute should be distinguished from the broader commercial relationship.
“I don’t think US President Donald Trump is going to cut off the US from importing our gold or platinum,” MacKay said.
South Africa has rejected Washington’s characterisation of its domestic policies, saying legislation addressing historical racial inequality is part of its constitutional mandate.
Lamola has also stressed that Pretoria wants to maintain economic and diplomatic engagement with Washington.
At the same time, the latest dispute has added uncertainty to the future of the bilateral relationship, with Washington warning of further measures and Pretoria insisting that it will defend its policy and foreign-policy choices.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
