US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday that Washington intends to suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
"President Trump found that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria,” Greer said in a statement.
AGOA gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products. South Africa has benefited from it for years.
AGOA beneficiaries are expected to adhere to eligibility requirements around maintaining market-based economies and good governance as well as eliminating barriers to US investments and trade, with Washington carrying out regular reviews.
President Donald Trump's administration has cracked down on South Africa for what Trump claims is its persecution of white people - which South Africa's government has repeatedly rejected as a falsehood spread by fringe groups.
Washington highlighted trade barriers, rule of law and human rights as among issues it is deeply concerned about in Rwanda.
