Developing story: this follows our earlier reports on South Africa's removal from AGOA. The new development is a call from exporters to use the change in US politics.
Exporters Western Cape has called for an urgent diplomatic mission to Washington after Democrats won control of the US Congress in this week's midterm elections, arguing that the result opens a window to save South Africa's duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The United States has decided to exclude South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA benefits from 1 January 2027. AGOA, introduced by the US Congress in 2000, gives duty-free access to more than 1 800 products.
What the exporters are asking for
Terry Gale, chair of Exporters Western Cape, said the Republican defeat "has changed the political landscape in Washington," and that "waiting for January would be a serious strategic mistake."
Gale set out three scenarios: a negotiated reconsideration before January, a bill in Congress that he said would face Senate procedural hurdles, and exclusion going ahead regardless.
How much is at stake
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has said AGOA covers about 10% of South Africa's exports to the United States. President Cyril Ramaphosa has signalled a push for a bilateral trade deal while an appeal window runs.
What we do not yet know
We have not seen a response from the Presidency, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition or Washington to Gale's call. The midterm result is based on projections and results reported so far, and it is unclear whether the new Congress would act on AGOA or when it takes office. Gale's scenarios are his own assessment.
