A leading South African economist has urged his country to strengthen trade ties with alternative partners, particularly China and India, after the U.S. announced it will suspend South Africa and Rwanda from duty-free trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer notified Congress of the decision on Monday, saying the suspensions will take effect on Jan 1, 2027.
Despite the news, Azar Jammine, director and chief economist at Econometrix, an independent economic research and forecasting firm in South Africa, downplayed the potential economic blow, calling the impact limited.
"AGOA only relates to some of South Africa's exports, mainly agricultural and automotive. So I don't think one should exaggerate the negative impact that AGOA would have on the South African economy. It would have some negative impact, but not dramatic," said Jammine.
Rather than dwelling on mounting trade disputes with the United States, Jammine advised his country to proactively diversify its trade partnerships.
"South Africa's potential trade with China and India is far, far greater, and the opportunities are far greater than the losses that might be incurred from a deterioration in its trade relations with the United States. It makes a lot of sense for South Africa to try and diversify its trade relations with India and China," said the expert.
South Africa has been the largest beneficiary of AGOA, exporting about 1.7 billion dollars' worth of goods to the United States under the program in 2025, with main exports including auto parts, citrus fruit and wine.
Enacted in 2000, AGOA has been the centerpiece of U.S. economic engagement with Africa, offering duty-free access to the U.S. consumer market for thousands of products from eligible countries, local media reported.
S Africa should pivot to China, India as U.S. suspends trade benefits: expert
As Japan on Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its pacifist Constitution, more than 10,000 Japanese citizens gathered in front of the National Diet building in Tokyo to protest moves by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to revise the Constitution and expand military capabilities.
The Takaichi administration has recently made a series of moves concerning nuclear policy. After Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi repeatedly said that "no options are ruled out" in discussions about introducing nuclear-powered submarines, Takaichi told parliament this month that the government would seriously consider the possibility of the Self-Defense Forces acquiring such submarines in a "concrete and realistic manner."
"I believe that under the protection of the pacifist Constitution, Japan was not dragged into other countries' wars, and in some respects, the country was truly protected by the Constitution. But now some people want to abandon these restrictions, and Japan is moving step by step towards launching wars. In my view, relevant people are single-mindedly bent on starting a war, and they even incited the Japanese public hostility towards other countries. What kind of politicians would want to push for wars? That is why I come here to protest," said a protester.
Japanese media have reported that the government may revise the wording concerning the Three Non-Nuclear Principles when it updates the country's three key security documents by the end of this year.
"Japan today is heading to wars. I'm trying to do my part in stopping this trend. In particular, some people are trying to abandon the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This is utterly absurd," said another protester.
"Military moves or wars cannot protect us. Wars are killing people. In the end, the only right path is diplomacy, through talking, communicating, and working hard, so as to find where we can resonate with each other. Revision of the Constitution absolutely must not be allowed, especially the kind of revision that attempts to turn Japan into a war-wielding country. It must not be allowed," said a protester.
Some at the rally said the Takaichi government's continued push for militarization has heightened tensions with neighboring countries.
"Japan's military budget is rising sharply. To maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries, Japan must not revise its Constitution, and the dangerous military buildup must not be allowed to go on," said another protester.
"I oppose the malicious revision of the Constitution, because I do not want Japan to become a country that launches wars again. Whether in military or economic terms, the Takaichi administration is showing extremely dangerous tendencies. The Takaichi administration is sparing no effort in trying to revise the Constitution, and this cannot be allowed to happen. We want to express our opposition by joining rallies like this," said a protester.
Over 10,000 Japanese citizens mark Constitution promulgation anniversary, rally against revision
