The US House of Representatives has approved a three-year extension of AGOA. This trade program allows several sub-Saharan African countries to export to the United States duty-free.
The AGOA agreement expired last October, leaving trade uncertain for several months. Economists and experts warned at the time of the risks of disruption to African exports, weakening of businesses, and deterioration of trade relations with Washington.
The bill was passed by a large majority in the House of Representatives, with 340 votes in favor and 54 against. It must now be considered by the Senate.
But while the program's extension is progressing well, South Africa's participation remains uncertain. The country is at the heart of persistent trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States.
South Africa's eligibility in question
In recent years, Washington and Pretoria have clashed on several issues, including access to the American market and joint military exercises conducted by South Africa with China, Russia and Iran.
According to some sources, as the Congressional vote approached, Pretoria reportedly asked Iran to withdraw from the joint naval exercise dubbed "Will for Peace," held in False Bay. This move was interpreted as an attempt to appease the United States.
Despite this, criticism continues in Washington. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Senator Jim Risch, has openly questioned South Africa's eligibility for AGOA.
He believes that the South African government's official position of non-alignment is contradicted by its military cooperation with countries considered adversaries of the United States. According to him, these choices reflect hostility towards Washington.
