Solidarity Warns US Could Take Further Action Against South Africa, Raises Concerns Over AGOA
- Solidarity warned that the United States may soon announce further measures against South Africa
- The trade union wrote to the White House urging that South Africa retain its AGOA membership
- Solidarity CEO Dr Dirk Hermann said they were committed to finding solutions to the diplomatic dispute
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Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Trade union Solidarity has warned that the United States could announce significant punitive measures against South Africa within weeks, as the diplomatic relationship between the two nations continues to deteriorate.
In a media statement posted on X on 15 October 2026, Solidarity said the crisis between the two countries has reached a breaking point. This follows the announcement of visa restrictions earlier this month, which the US ambassador described as the first step in a series of escalating measures.
AGOA exclusion the most immediate threat
Dr Dirk Hermann, CEO of Solidarity, identified the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as the trade instrument most likely to be used against South Africa.
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"According to all indications from Washington, AGOA is the most immediate instrument at the US's disposal should the country wish to take action against South Africa," Dr Hermann said.
Enacted in May 2000, AGOA is a United States trade law designed to boost economic growth and strengthen trade ties between the US and sub-Saharan Africa. Although Congress extended the legislation until the end of 2028, the White House determines annually which countries qualify for the programme.
South Africa has historically been the largest beneficiary, with Solidarity estimating that up to 250,000 jobs are either partially or fully dependent on continued AGOA access.
Solidarity addressed a letter to the White House on 15 October, urging that South Africa's participation in the programme be maintained as the annual review process is finalised. Hermann stressed that exclusion from AGOA, or the imposition of other economic penalties, would harm ordinary workers and exporters who had no part in the government's diplomatic decisions.
Tensions rooted in unmet US demands
The current diplomatic crisis has deepened over the past 20 months after the Trump administration presented five demands to the South African government.
These included the condemnation of incitement to racial violence, the prioritisation of rural crime, including farm attacks, and the rollback of race-based legislation. South Africa has reportedly met only two of the five demands.
Solidarity has since called on the South African government to address the five points of contention urgently and constructively to prevent further escalation. The trade union also stated that it remained committed to finding solutions to the diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Solidarity calls for an urgent US-SA trade deal
Briefly News reported that Solidarity has urged the South African government to conclude a trade deal with the United States urgently.
Fruit Products Western Cape in Tulbagh faces possible closure after Premier Foods flagged US tariffs and shrinking global demand as threats.
South Africans weighed in on Solidarity's calls, with some noting that the trade union previously lobbied for US sanctions.
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Source: Briefly News
