U.S. Reauthorizes AGOA for One Year with Stricter Terms, Signals America First Trade Policy Shift

The United States has re-approved the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), granting eligible sub-Saharan African economies continued duty-free access to the U.S. market through December 31, 2026, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said in a statement on Tuesday.

The reauthorization, retroactive to September 30, 2025, came after the programme lapsed late last year and had threatened to disrupt trade flows between the United States and more than two dozen African partners.

“AGOA for the 21st century must demand more from our trading partners and yield more market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers to build upon the benefits it has historically provided to Africa and the United States,” Greer said, underlining the administration’s intent to revisit the pact’s terms alongside Congress in the coming year.

The one-year extension, significantly shorter than prior multi-year renewals, reflects political compromises in Washington. Legislation initially proposing a three-year extension was pared back in the Senate before passage, leaving exporters and investors in a state of uncertainty about the programme’s longer-term trajectory.

AGOA, enacted in 2000, allows more than 1,800 products from qualifying African countries, ranging from vehicles to textiles and agricultural goods, to enter the U.S. market duty-free, facilitating billions of dollars in bilateral trade and supporting jobs on both continents.

To maintain eligibility, countries must adhere to standards on market-based reforms, the rule of law, political pluralism and human rights, criteria that have periodically placed nations under review or led to suspensions.

While the reauthorization will offer temporary relief to exporters and trade-dependent industries in Africa, analysts and business groups have cautioned that the short horizon dampens confidence for long-term investment, especially as the U.S. administration signals a desire to rebalance benefits more toward American producers.

Greer also flagged that the USTR will collaborate with relevant U.S. agencies to implement any changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule arising from the new legislation, a step likely to recalibrate how AGOA preferences are applied in practice.

The renewal arrives amid broader shifts in U.S. trade policy under President Donald Trump, which have seen an emphasis on reciprocal access and tighter alignment with domestic commercial interests, even as strains persist with key African economies over tariff disputes and geopolitical tensions.

“Today President @realDonaldTrump signed a one‑year reauthorization of AGOA, keeping duty‑free trade open with eligible African partners through Dec. 31, 2026. This extension must deliver more market access for U.S. farmers, workers, and businesses, and will be modernized to align with our America First trade policy,” White House posted on X.