US Senate Targets South Africa with Bill

The US Senate has introduced a bill targeting South Africa with sanctions and AGOA termination (Image Source)

The US Senate has tabled the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria with proposed sanctions and a possible end to South Africa’s trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Filed on 15 September by Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), the bill echoes an earlier House measure but adds explicit conditions for South Africa’s removal from AGOA if President Biden determines Pretoria undermines US national security through ties with Russia, China, or anti-Israel positions.

Kennedy referenced South Africa’s recent joint naval drills with Russia, docking permissions for sanctioned vessels, and controversial statements by ANC officials targeting US leadership. “America’s foreign policy must put its interests first. This bill holds South Africa accountable and ensures our relationship is serving US national security—not undermining it,” Kennedy said.

Analysts warn the move could destabilise economic relations. Political commentator Joel Pollak told BizNews that bills in both chambers show “growing bipartisan frustration” with Pretoria, making substantive action increasingly likely.

South Africa exported US $4.3 billion in AGOA-eligible goods to the US in 2024—about 15% of its total exports. Removal from AGOA could mean tariffs of up to 35% on key sectors such as textiles, autos, and agriculture, threatening 120,000 jobs. Business group Agbiz cautioned that exporters would face cost hikes of up to 25% per container if forced to reroute trade to Asia or Africa. The House version, H.R. 2633 led by Rep. Ronnie Jackson, advanced through subcommittee review in June but stalled in full committee. Kennedy’s Senate bill now heads to the Foreign Relations Committee, with hearings expected in October. For passage, both chambers must reconcile identical texts before presidential approval.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel is set to lobby US lawmakers on an upcoming mission to Washington, hoping to mitigate fallout through diplomatic outreach and private-sector pressure. Observers say the outcome will test Pretoria’s balancing act between its traditional partners and its growing alignment with Russia and China.

As October approaches, the battle over AGOA has become a defining moment in US-South Africa relations, with billions in trade and thousands of jobs at stake.