Why the DA and FF Plus want voters to judge the ANC on US trade
PRETORIA — The Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus have urged voters to hold the ANC accountable in Wednesday’s municipal elections for Washington’s decision to withdraw South Africa’s preferential access to the US market. Both parties serve alongside the ANC in the Government of National Unity. They argue that its foreign and economic policies put exporters at risk, while Pretoria says Washington raised issues that had never formed part of their trade negotiations.
The dispute predates the US announcement. In October, the Freedom Front Plus formally raised the future of South Africa’s trade benefits as a dispute within the coalition. The DA said its leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, had taken the matter up with President Cyril Ramaphosa. On Monday, US President Donald Trump notified Congress and Pretoria that he intended to end South Africa’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from 1 January 2027.
What Washington cited and Pretoria disputes
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the decision followed an annual review of countries receiving AGOA benefits. His office identified three concerns specific to South Africa: barriers to American trade and investment, corruption, and practices Washington considers a threat to its national security and foreign policy interests. The DA and Freedom Front Plus have drawn their own political conclusion about who bears responsibility for that assessment.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said South Africa had offered further concessions to address American concerns during talks that began in 2025. His department said some of the issues Washington subsequently cited had not been raised in those negotiations. Tau said Pretoria remained willing to pursue a settlement during the 60-day notice period, but that progress depended on both governments.
For exporters, the January deadline concerns the duty their goods attract when they enter the US. South Africa exported about US$1.7 billion in goods under AGOA in 2025. If the withdrawal takes effect as announced, businesses can continue selling to American customers, but qualifying shipments will lose the programme’s duty-free treatment.
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