WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States on Tuesday renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through the end of the year, an agreement that allows many African countries to access the US market duty-free. Trump has used trade and tariffs -- which he has called his "favorite word" -- as a carrot and a stick to reshape international relations, as he sees fit. In a statement, Greer vowed to "work with Congress over the next year to modernize the program to align with" current US policy. A cornerstone of US-Africa trade relations for 25 years, the AGOA has allowed the United States to buy billions of dollars of duty-free cars, clothes and other items from select African countries each year. But the deal, which operates in 32 African nations, expired last September, affecting thousands of jobs and forcing exporters to absorb high tariff duties.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 04, 2026 03:03 UTC