Withdrawal of trade preferences for African countries: Western states adopt a differentiated approach to weaken Beijing’s political influence on the continent

On September 30, 2025, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which had been in effect throughout the first quarter of the 21st century, expired.

The terms of this legislative act provided duty-free access to US markets for 32 developing African countries, whose industries, thanks to tariff exemptions, were able to compete for the American market with producers from South and Southeast Asia.

With the termination of such trade policy, African companies lose competitive advantages, and their products face the threat of displacement.