US Congressman Andy Ogles has urged the Biden administration to expel South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), alleging that the country discriminates against white citizens and supports terrorism. His remarks follow controversial statements by former President Donald Trump, who recently described South Africa as “a bad place to be right now” and accused its government of seizing land from white farmers.
Political Tensions and AGOA Scrutiny
Ogles, a Republican and staunch Trump ally, echoed the former president’s rhetoric, calling for the revocation of South Africa’s trade benefits under AGOA, a US program that grants eligible African nations duty-free access to American markets. In a social media post, Ogles claimed that South Africa “hates native whites, loves terrorists, and consists of communists,” arguing that the country no longer deserves AGOA privileges.
Trump, in a separate statement on his Truth Social platform, alleged that the South African government was engaged in land confiscation and vowed to halt all US federal aid to the country. He also suggested offering South African farmers a fast-tracked pathway to US citizenship, citing safety concerns.
Broader Context and Diplomatic Fallout
The calls for South Africa’s expulsion from AGOA come at a time of heightened tensions between Pretoria and Washington, particularly in the wake of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Trump’s remarks have also been amplified by right-wing groups, including AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement, as well as South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has previously claimed that white South Africans face systemic discrimination and violence.
While Trump’s assertions regarding land seizures in South Africa remain unsubstantiated, they have fueled ongoing debates over US-South Africa relations. The AGOA agreement, enacted in 2000, is a cornerstone of trade relations between the US and African nations, allowing qualifying countries to export certain goods to the US duty-free. Removing South Africa from the program could have significant economic repercussions.
Ogles, who has previously faced criticism over claims about his academic credentials, has remained a vocal advocate for Trump-era policies. His recent comments reinforce ongoing debates over South Africa’s trade status and its diplomatic standing with the US amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.