As Trump returns, African exporters torn between hope and horror

Citrus growers in South Africa are among the businesses most nervous that duty- and quota-free exports to the United States could be scrapped next year when Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The fruits are among 1,800 products across 32 African countries benefitting from preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with companies in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana reaping the most dollars in profits.

But with president-elect Trump having vowed to impose at least a 10-percent tariff on all imports to the United States, there is no certainty that AGOA will be renewed.

Analysts say the legislation, passed in 2000 and set to expire next year, could be modified if not withdrawn altogether, with potential negative ramifications for companies and jobs across Africa.

“We need this competitive edge,” Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), which also represents Zimbabwe and Swaziland-based orchards, told AFP.

“Should South Africa be removed from AGOA, thousands of rural jobs could be impacted, as well as over a billion rand ($55.5 million) in export revenue could be lost,” he said.

Another South African citrus company told AFP on condition of anonymity that if AGOA were not renewed, it would “kill” their business, which employed more than 3,000 people and exported an average of 350 containers of sorbet products per year to the United States.

‘Hope for the best’

The automotive sector could also feel the heat if AGOA is shelved, although some companies are betting that US consumers might accept higher prices.

“I don’t foresee any major changes in the buying patterns of Americans around the products that we supply,” said Ken Manners, managing director at SP Metal Forgings Group, a South African company that exports vehicle parts to the United States.

Even if tariffs were imposed, “it certainly wouldn’t be life-changing in terms of our ability to supply competitively,” he told AFP.

“The product base that we supply in the US is very difficult to source anywhere else, so ultimately even if the US put higher tariffs, the US consumer would end up paying for it.”

Whether AGOA is renewed or not, it should not have much impact on the broader South African economy, analysts said, though companies should still prepare for changes.

“On the whole of the economy we’re not even talking one percent,” said Johannesburg-based economist Dawie Roodt.

In any case, “it won’t be business as usual,” said Ronak Gopaldas of the London-based consultancy Signal Risk.

“The reality is that Trump and his economic policies are unpredictable, volatile and erratic.”

“So I would say an effective strategy is to expect the worst and hope for the best,” he said.

‘AGOA-lite’

Companies in Ghana, Kenya and Lesotho also benefit significantly from AGOA, especially in the textile industry.

Mukhisa Kituyi, a Kenyan politician who served as secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, said he believed the next US administration could push for a renegotiated AGOA rather than a withdrawal.

The United States wanted stricter “third country rules of origin” to prevent, for example, companies from bringing textiles from China or India, stitching them in Africa, and selling them as African clothes.

“If they tighten the rules of origin, particularly on textiles and cars — as Trump is obsessed with the manufacturing of particular cars — we can see a diluted AGOA-lite going forward,” Kituyi said.

For Lesotho, losing AGOA “would deal a massive blow, potentially leading to the near collapse of the textile and apparel industry”, which is the kingdom’s second largest employer, trade ministry official Litseko Fiee said.

However, the government is optimistic the deal will be renewed and possibly even extended, he said.

Another question mark surrounds exports of critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Angola.

While the products are not eligible under AGOA, central African countries have received particular attention and investment under President Joe Biden.

“Are these relations going to persist… or will we see a walking back, a radical overhaul, on some of the gains made?” Gopaldas said.

Trump will probably “ignore Africa”, according to Roodt, unless countries “get his attention for good or bad reasons”.

A determining factor would likely be whether countries are seen as geopolitically aligned with the United States.

This could be an issue for African governments that have shown support towards Russia and China or criticised Israel.

Having accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza at the UN’s top court, South Africa in particular will have to “walk a tightrope,” Gopaldas said, “if the US becomes more explicit about being ‘with us or against us’.”