U.S. Congress Calls ANC a “Gangster Regime” – What This Means for South Africa’s Future in AGOA

The relationship between South Africa and the United States is under intense scrutiny following a fiery letter from multiple members of the U.S. Congress to President Donald Trump. In this unprecedented move, American lawmakers did not hold back in their condemnation of the ANC government, labeling it an "ethnonationalist gangster regime" and directly accusing it of aligning with Hamas and the Chinese Communist Party.

This letter, dated February 11, 2025, is a clear signal that South Africa’s trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are in jeopardy. The U.S. Congress is urging the Trump administration to revoke South Africa’s trade privileges, citing human rights abuses, land expropriation policies, and anti-Western alliances. If AGOA benefits are stripped, it would have serious consequences for various industries in South Africa—especially agriculture, textiles, and the automotive sector.

Strong Language: The ANC Under Fire

The wording used by the U.S. lawmakers is nothing short of explosive. The ANC government is accused of:

• Acting as a “successor to Mao’s destructive land reform policies” by attempting to seize land without compensation.
• Running an ethnonationalist gangster regime that disregards human rights and the rule of law.
• Showing “unabashed diplomatic marginalization” by siding with China’s Communist Party and turning its back on the U.S.
• Supporting Hamas-linked organizations and even acting as propagandists for them.

This type of rhetoric from Washington is a major escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Never before has the ANC government been so directly compared to Communist dictatorships and terrorist sympathizers by American officials.

South Africa’s Trade at Risk: The AGOA Reality

While some in government might brush this off as political posturing, the economic impact of losing AGOA would be severe. Currently, South Africa benefits from duty-free access to the U.S. market for approximately 6,700 products under AGOA. This preferential trade deal is a critical driver of South African exports to the U.S., accounting for 20% of all South African exports to America.

Key Trade Facts:

• South Africa is the U.S.’s largest trading partner in Africa and the top destination for American foreign investment on the continent.
• AGOA supports thousands of South African jobs in the automotive, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
• If AGOA is revoked, South African exports to the U.S. could fall sharply, with food and beverages projected to drop by 16%, transport equipment by 13%, and textiles and leather goods by 3-4%.

What Happens if the U.S. Cuts South Africa Off?

If the U.S. government follows through on the congressional recommendation to suspend diplomatic ties and revoke AGOA, it would deal a significant blow to South African businesses. While the ANC might dismiss the warning, South African workers and business owners who rely on U.S. trade should take this as a wake-up call.

Conclusion: The ANC’s Reckless Foreign Policy is Hurting South Africans

The ANC’s obsession with backing anti-Western regimes and radical organizations has led South Africa down a dangerous path. By siding with Hamas, pushing radical land policies, and cozying up to China, the ruling party has placed South Africa’s economic stability at risk.

The letter from U.S. lawmakers is not just a diplomatic warning it’s a red alert. If AGOA is revoked, it won’t be politicians who suffer it will be ordinary South Africans, farmers, and factory workers who lose their jobs and businesses.

The question remains: Will the ANC listen before it’s too late?