Kennedy introduces bill to strengthen U.S. trade, combat Chinese influence in Africa

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)
introduced the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act, also known as AGOA 2.0. The bill would extend the African Growth and opportunity Act (AGOA) while ensuring the program supports U.S. interests and counters China’s growing influence in Africa.
“China is using Africa to expand its influence at America’s expense. We need to rethink our relationships in the region while strengthening trade with African countries that share our values. This bill makes sure AGOA works for America’s
interests—not against them,”
said Kennedy.
Kennedy’s bill would renew AGOA for two years and ensure participating countries support U.S. interests, rather than adversaries like Beijing and Moscow. The legislation also incorporates Kennedy’s U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act to hold South Africa accountable for siding with America’s rivals.
The AGOA 2.0 Act would:
Extend AGOA for two years.
Require a U.S. strategy to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with select AGOA countries.
Emphasize clear eligibility criteria for participating nations, including democratic governance, rule of law, human rights, combating corruption and open markets.
Incorporate Kennedy’s U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act to hold South Africa accountable for aligning with Beijing, Moscow and other adversaries.
Ensure AGOA is used to strengthen U.S. partnerships in Africa while combating Chinese influence in the region.
Background:
Congress first enacted AGOA in 2000 to expand U.S.-Africa trade ties. The program gave
eligible sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to thousands of products in the U.S. market in exchange for developing market-based economies, democracy, and the rule of law. AGOA’s trade benefits expired on Sept. 30, 2025. In total,
32
countries were eligible for AGOA benefits
at the time of expiration.
Full text of the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act is available
here.