US Suspends South Africa, Rwanda From Key African Trade Program Authored by Owen Evans via The Epoch Times , U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Nov. 2 that Washington will suspend South Africa and Rwanda from its duty-free trade program for sub-Saharan Africa, citing failures on trade barriers, corruption, governance, and human rights .
"President Trump found that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are inconsistent with [the African Growth and Opportunity Act's] eligibility criteria," Greer said in a statement, adding that there are threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in both countries.
The Trump administration said it is "deeply concerned" by South Africa's barriers to U.S. trade and investment, and corruption. Regarding Rwanda, the U.S. government cited issues with the rule of law, political pluralism, and internationally recognized worker rights and human rights.