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U.S. Extends AGOA One Year, Restoring Duty‑Free Access Through 2026

The short renewal signals a drive to rewrite the program under America First rules, leaving key exporters exposed to possible exclusion plus separate U.S. tariffs under court review.

Overview

  • President Trump signed the reauthorization this week, making benefits retroactive to September 30, 2025 and extending them through December 31, 2026.
  • Congress settled on a one‑year term after the Senate cut the House’s three‑year plan, and USTR Jamieson Greer flagged a push to “modernize” the program.
  • USTR said agencies are updating the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule so AGOA duty‑free rates are applied retroactively to eligible imports.
  • South Africa remains included for now, though its continued eligibility could be reassessed by the White House amid tense relations.
  • Manufacturers and unions call the move a temporary breather as reciprocal tariffs continue to blunt benefits and face a Supreme Court legality review.