Agoa: Us-africa Trade Deal At Risk, Review Approaches

The future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act AGOA remains uncertain, with doubts growing since Donald Trump's return to the White House. This key trade agreement provides duty-free access to the United States for certain African products, but its renewal, due in September, is now in question, leaving American importers considering alternative sources.

The uncertainty surrounding AGOA has been exacerbated by the turbulence caused by Trump's previous tariff policies, raising further concerns about the future of the deal.

The AGOA has been a cornerstone of trade relations between the United States and African nations. Introduced in 2000 under Democratic President Bill Clinton, it allows duty-free access for African countries that meet certain conditions, such as political pluralism, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts.

To date, around 30 of Africa's 50 countries benefit from the agreement, which covers a wide array of products, including textiles and automobiles.

In 2023, goods worth 9.26 billion were exported under AGOA, with 4.25 billion coming from the oil and energy sectors, according to the United States International Trade Commission USITC.