Ties With Hamas and Putin, Spur Bipartisan Calls for South Africa’s Expulsion From US Trade Pact

JOHANNESBURG—Powerful American politicians want South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized country and second-largest economy, excluded from Washington’s biggest trade deal with Africa for “engaging in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.” South Africa is led by the African National Congress (ANC), which counts China, Iran, and Russia among its “greatest friends.” China and the former Soviet Union supported the ANC’s struggle against apartheid with weapons, money, and military training. Last week, South Africa hosted the annual forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in Johannesburg. The law, signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000, means 33 eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa can export more than 1,800 products—from precious metals to vehicles, to flowers, fruit, and vegetables—to the United States without paying taxes....