Nothing is impossible for the Americans. Never say never. In politics and geopolitics, everything follows the direction of the wind. A year ago, upon taking office at the White House, Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, shook the world with a dizzying increase in customs duties for many countries, the suspension of the American social cooperation agency, USAID, and the end of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. law that allows certain African countries to export their products to the land of Uncle Sam duty-free. Donald Trump ended this favor and raised the duty to 47%, leading to the closure of many businesses and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Authorities scrambled to plead for leniency from the American president, who granted a 90-day reprieve. AGOA continued after the reprieve, but there was no official decision from U.S. authorities. Exporting companies were left in limbo. Donald Trump kept African operators on a leash. It was a step back to better strike the beneficiaries of AGOA. And just when least expected, the United States announced the extension of AGOA until 2028. One would have to be naive to believe this is a gesture of empathy from Donald Trump, whose character is not associated with sentiment or humanism.
As suspected, there was indeed a trap behind this almost divine, or rather diabolical, generosity. The extension of AGOA is tied to U.S. access to the strategic minerals of the beneficiary countries. In short, it is nothing more or less than blackmail. As many countries covet rare earth elements, the Americans realized they must not let other powers occupy the field alone. AGOA is therefore an excellent bargaining chip. While African countries were thought to be in agony, a providential decision has come to save them—at least for the moment. They are not forced to accept this deal.
One must think carefully before concluding an agreement, given the importance of strategic minerals, which are worth more than a one-year extension of AGOA. However, the State finds itself between two fires. Turning its back on AGOA means endorsing the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs without any alternative. Accepting this fool’s bargain means letting others plunder what remains of the country’s minerals. The dilemma is complicated, and the choice may require a true national consultation. It is a situation that leaves one feeling both happy and embarrassed, like a chick lured by a grain of rice but without a beak large enough to crack it. This is a true dilemma that involves the responsibility of the State.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-12 05:39:04 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/agoasse.html