New bill means US could extend AGOA to 2041 - and move against SA dropped

US senators are no longer demanding that South Africa's continued participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) "immediately" be reviewed, according to a new bill tabled on Friday to renew the key trade pact. 

AGOA grants South African businesses duty-free access for thousands of goods to the world’s biggest market. SA exports everything from cars to fruit and yachts under the deal.

According to a draft version of a new bill to renew AGOA published last year by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, South Africa's trade access would need to be "immediately" be reviewed.