Why Trump wan remove Rwanda and South Africa from US trade deal

President Donald Trump don notify US Congress about im intention to remove South Africa and Rwanda from one preferential trade programme, starting from January 1, 2027.

Di African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) dey allow African kontris wey meet di requirements to export thousands of products go US witout paying import duty.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer tok for one statement say annual review don find say both kontris dey engage in practices wey no follow di requirements to qualify for di programme.

E add say Trump administration don also notify di two kontris about di decision.

Why Trump dey comot South and Rwanda

Trump administration cite barriers to US trade and investment, as well as concerns about national security and foreign policy interests for di region.

For Rwanda, Washington also raise concerns about human rights, political pluralism, rule of law and workers' rights.

Dis move come barely one week after US Treasury impose sanctions on Rwanda defence ministry ova alleged role wey e play for di armed rebellion for eastern DR Congo.

US Treasury say Rwanda defence ministry direct thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 rebels for eastern DR Congo, while providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training.

For South Africa, US also point to corruption.

"Trump administration dey work to make sure say our African partners take di necessary steps to meet di eligibility criteria," Greer tok.

South Africa Trade Minister, Parks Tau, describe di decision as "unfortunate", as e say Washington dey raise new issues wey no be part of di trade negotiations between di two kontris wey start for 2025.

"We go kontinu to speed up di diversification of South Africa export markets to protect jobs," Tau tok.

US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, say e regret say South African policies lead to di kontri wey remove from Agoa.

"Dis na outcome wey pipo fit predict and prevent, but e happun bicos South Africa government reject di genuine concerns wey US raise," e write for X.

Di announcement come at a time wen relations between Washington and both kontris don bicom tense, as di proposed termination fit threaten dia access to preferential trade arrangements wit US.

Last year, Trump accuse South Africa of white genocide for one meeting wit President Cyril Ramaphosa for di White House, and e launch one US refugee programme for Afrikaners.

South African govment respond to US decision to withdraw AGOA benefits

Di South African govment say e don acknowledge announcement by US govment about im plan to withdraw South Africa benefits under di African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), starting from January 1, 2027, afta dem give dem 60 days'advance notice.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, address di implications of di recent trade decision between South Africa and US, as e reaffirm di kontri commitment to constructive and balanced partnership.

"Dis decision no define di wider relationship between South Africa and United States, however, finding solution depend on di willingness of both sides to find solutions," Tau tok, as e highlight di importance of kontinu dialogue to resolve trade challenges.

E assure say South African govment dey focus on protecting di interests of sectors wey di decision go affect.

"At di same time, govment go support di affected sectors, protect South Africa's national interests and kontinu to pursue trade, investment and shared economic opportunities wit United States," Tau tok.

Di South African govment say e still dey engage in efforts to address trade wahala and strengthen cooperation wit United States.

Di govment also tok say e recognise di concerns wey dis decision don raise for workers, exporters, businesses and communities wey dey connected to value chains wey AGOA support, and say di impact across different sectors.

Dem add say govment dey actively work togeda wit affected industries to assess di full implications of di decision.