TIMELINE: US-SA trade history

SA’s trade relationship with the US has been shaped by shifting political and economic tides — from formal diplomatic ties in 1929 to sanctions during apartheid, and later a steady expansion in bilateral trade. This is the timeline of key events that have defined and disrupted this complex relationship.

1929: The US establishes formal diplomatic relations with SA.
1976: The US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is created. SA becomes an early beneficiary.
1986: US enacts Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, imposing comprehensive economic sanctions, and suspends GSP benefits.
1991-93: US sanctions gradually repealed following democratic reforms in SA.
1994: SA’s GSP benefits reinstated.
1999: US-SA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) signed, creating a formal mechanism for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues.
May 18 2000: African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) signed into law, expanding on GSP by providing additional duty-free access for African countries.
2000-2001: Under Agoa, SA car exports to the US surge from 853 vehicles to about 14,900 — a 1,600% increase.
2004: Agoa Acceleration Act extends Agoa to end of 2015
2008: Trade, Investment and Development Co-operation Agreement (TIDCA) signed between the US and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), including SA, promoting collaboration on trade facilitation and standards.
2012: Tifa amended to update the bilateral trade and investment dialogue mechanism.
2013: SA’s car exports to the US reach $1.8bn, up from $195m in 2000.
2015: Agoa is renewed and extended to September 30 2025
2017-2020: US reviews SA’s GSP eligibility, and status is retained.
2019: SA becomes the largest US trade partner in Africa, with total two-way trade of $17.8bn and about 600 US companies operating locally.
December 31 2020: The US GSP programme expires, affecting exports not covered under Agoa.
2021: Record-high trade surplus (about  $10.3bn) for SA in US-SA trade; SA accounts for 56% of non-oil Agoa exports
2021: US signs Trade and Investment Promotion Partnership with the Western Cape provincial government, formalising direct economic collaboration and export promotion efforts.
2022: US signs Trade-Investment Framework with Gauteng
2022: Automotive exports up 447.3% since 2001 under Agoa
2024: Agoa Renewal and Improvement Act introduced by US senators Chris Coons and James Risch, signalling intention to reform and extend the programme.
February 20-21 2025: The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting is held in Johannesburg. US secretary of state Marco Rubio does not attend.
April 2: US President Donald Trump unveils the “Liberation Day” tariff package, including a 31% tariff on SA imports.
April 9: Due to a dramatic stock market crash, Trump pauses the country-specific tariffs for a 90-day period
May 21: President Cyril Ramaphosa meets Trump in the Oval Office of the White House.
May and June: SA submits a proposed trade deal to the Trump administration in May and revises it in June, but receives no response.
July  7: The pause is extended to August 1, with a 30% tariff set to apply to SA goods unless a trade agreement is reached.
July 17-18: The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors’ meeting takes place in Durban. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent is absent and is represented by acting under‑secretary Michael Kaplan.
July 31: SA prepares a last-minute “enhanced” trade proposal at the urging of US officials, in hopes of avoiding a 30% tariff set to take effect on Friday, says trade minister Parks Tau.
August 1: Washington confirms 30% “reciprocal” tariffs on SA goods, effectively undermining Agoa before its September 30 sunset. This will come into effect in seven days’ time.