Overview

• The 25-year program lapsed at midnight after Congress and the Trump administration did not act, ending duty-free access for many goods.
• The pact had supported about $10 billion in annual U.S. imports and hundreds of thousands of jobs across roughly 32 African countries.
• Trade agencies warn of sharp export declines in apparel, textiles, leather, footwear, and processed foods, and some layoffs have already begun.
• African ministers continue lobbying in Washington, with South Africa’s Parks Tau citing bipartisan backing and confidence in a near-term renewal.
• A White House official supports a one-year extension, but an attempt to tie it to a stopgap funding bill failed, and lawmakers discuss a possible retroactive fix.