Kallie Kriel says AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement unsuccessfully lobbied the US administration to retain South Africa’s AGOA status, warning that ordinary workers will pay the price for the country’s impending exclusion from the trade programme.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said ordinary South Africans, rather than political leaders, will bear the consequences of the United States’ decision to terminate the country’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Kriel said AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement had previously travelled to the US to lobby the administration against removing South Africa from the trade programme.
However, he claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
“The reason why we went to the US was to ask them: do not punish the country. Keep us in AGOA. Because normal people are going to suffer. Not a political elite. But unfortunately, we were not successful.”
“But the ANC leaders are to blame for this. And for these kinds of things, they are being punished now at the ballot box,” Kriel said.
He was speaking to the media at the National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on Friday.
Kriel blames ANC for AGOA decision
Asked whether he believed the government was responsible for the consequences of the US decision, Kriel said the impact would be felt by ordinary people rather than political leaders.
“Most definitely so. You know, if you look at the consequences of these matters, if you look, for instance, at what happened in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe died a rich man. People are living in poverty and they’re fleeing the country. So what is going to happen now? It’s not the political leaders that are going to suffer.
“Fikile Mbalula (ANC secretary general) still has his job well after this election. I don’t know if he’ll still have it. But President Ramaphosa will have his job.”
Kriel said workers in sectors such as motor vehicle manufacturing and agriculture would be among those affected.
“The people that are going to suffer are those working in motor car factories or people working on farms. Those are the wrong people being punished for the irresponsible behaviour of the ANC,” he said.
AfriForum and Solidarity’s US visit
AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement travelled to Washington, DC, in February 2025 to engage with the US administration and officials over South Africa’s position under AGOA.
The delegation, led by Kriel, raised concerns about property rights, farm murders and government policies, including the Expropriation Act.
AfriForum said its lobbying efforts were aimed at preventing a blanket withdrawal of South Africa’s trade benefits, arguing instead for targeted political pressure.
However, US President Donald Trump has notified Congress of his intention to terminate South Africa’s beneficiary status under AGOA from January 1, 2027.
Government seeks to preserve US trade ties
Meanwhile, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the US decision did not define the broader relationship between the two countries, but warned that finding a solution would depend on both parties’ willingness to engage.
The announcement represents a setback for Pretoria’s efforts to retain preferential access to the US market amid growing tensions between the two countries.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the decision followed an annual review of sub-Saharan African countries’ eligibility for AGOA.
Greer said Trump had found that South Africa and Rwanda were engaging in practices inconsistent with the programme’s eligibility requirements, including barriers to US trade and investment, as well as practices considered threats to US national security and foreign policy interests.
Tau said the US remained an important trade and investment partner.
“This decision does not define the broader relationship between South Africa and the United States, however a solution depends on the willingness of both parties to find solutions,” he said.
He said the government would support affected sectors, protect South Africa’s national interests and continue pursuing trade, investment and shared economic opportunities with the US.
“South Africa remains committed to a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership with the US that enables preferential trade that supports beneficiation of critical minerals at source and promotes investment,” Tau said.
He added that South Africa would continue to uphold its constitutional responsibilities, transformation objectives and international obligations while pursuing practical solutions to expand trade and investment.
Meanwhile, trade union federation COSATU and other critics have blamed AfriForum and Solidarity for contributing to the US decision to move towards terminating South Africa’s AGOA status.
They have accused the organisations of damaging the country’s international reputation and promoting negative narratives about South Africa to US officials.