Trump re-election could spell end of Agoa, warns expert
An international relations expert says the African Growth and Opportunity Act could be on its last legs should Donald Trump win the US presidential election.
"If Donald Trump is elected, I expect that even if the extension of Agoa is approved before the election, that he will try and to impound funds," says Wits University Professor John Stremlau.
Thirty-five sub-Saharan African countries that benefit from duty-free access to US markets are pushing for the reauthorisation of Agoa before the November elections.
It's after fears that Trump's policies could lead to the scrapping of the deal.
On Tuesday, Trade Minister Parks Tau downplayed those claims in his media briefing on the outcomes of the Agoa Forum.
"At the Agoa Forum, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition family was supported by a diverse South African delegation who engaged with the United States stakeholders with a view to strengthening trade and investment relations.
"As the DTIC family, we regard the Agoa Forum as a crucial engagement reinforcing the strong economic ties between South Africa, the United States, and our African continent."
However, Professor Stremlau believes the fears of a Trump presidency are well-founded.
"In (policy document) ‘The 2025 Agenda’, which is prepared by the Heritage Foundation in anticipation of a second Trump term, has already said that South Africa should be excluded from any support from Agoa."
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