Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
Russia Prepares for Post–New START Era as U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Control Nears Collapse 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Move to End TPS for Haitian Immigrants 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Sam Altman Criticizes ICE Enforcement as Corporate Leaders Call for De-Escalation 
Israel Reopens Rafah Crossing, Offering Limited Relief to Gaza Patients Amid Ceasefire Efforts 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Trump Appoints Colin McDonald as Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Trump Plans Call With Savannah Guthrie After Mother’s Disappearance, Federal Support Considered 
Russian Missile and Drone Attacks Hit Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities, Causing Widespread Damage 
President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key U.S.-Africa trade program, through December 31, 2026. The extension is retroactive from September 30, 2025, ensuring continuity after the program briefly expired and putting hundreds of thousands of African jobs back on stable footing.
AGOA, first enacted in 2000, grants eligible Sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for more than 1,800 products. The program has played a major role in boosting exports, supporting industrial growth, and strengthening economic ties between the United States and Africa. Its temporary expiration in September raised concerns among businesses and workers who rely on preferential trade access to the world’s largest economy.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that his office will work with Congress this year to update AGOA. The goal is to expand market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers while aligning the program with President Trump’s America First trade policy. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also confirmed it will coordinate with relevant agencies to implement any necessary changes to the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule following the reauthorization.
The extension comes against a backdrop of strained relations between the United States and South Africa, Africa’s largest economy. President Trump previously boycotted a G20 meeting hosted by South Africa and later indicated the country would not be invited to G20 meetings hosted by the U.S. in 2026. Despite these tensions, South African Trade Minister Parks Tau welcomed the AGOA extension, emphasizing that it provides certainty and predictability for African and American businesses dependent on the program.
To qualify for AGOA’s duty-free benefits, participating countries must demonstrate progress toward a market-based economy, respect for the rule of law, political pluralism, and due process. They are also required to reduce barriers to U.S. trade and investment, combat corruption, protect human rights, and implement policies aimed at reducing poverty. The extension reinforces AGOA’s role as a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade and economic cooperation.
