# Democrats' US election win offers South Africa a chance > South Africa hopes Democratic control of Congress will repair relations damaged by Trump, but the president still controls foreign policy and may use it. - Title: Democrats' US election win offers South Africa a chance - Summary: South Africa hopes Democratic control of Congress will repair relations damaged by Trump, but the president still controls foreign policy and may use it. - Keywords: south africa, united states, donald trump, democratic party, us congress, agoa, us-south africa relations, cyril ramaphosa, john steenhuisen, gregory meeks, foreign policy, trade tariffs - Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-07-blue-landslide-in-us-gives-sa-hope-but-trump-still-has-sharp-teeth - Author: Peter Fabricius - Published: 2026-11-07T07:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 4 min - Topics: south africa, united states, donald trump, democratic party, us congress, agoa, us-south africa relations, cyril ramaphosa, john steenhuisen, gregory meeks, foreign policy, trade tariffs ## Democrats seize both houses As of Thursday morning, five November, Democrats won fifty four Senate seats and at least two hundred forty five House seats. The election was a stunning rebuke of President Donald Trump. ## Ramaphosa sees new era ahead President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Democratic landslide will introduce a new era in world relations. He said South Africa is always willing to have good relations with the US. > is going to introduce a new era in world relations ## Steenhuisen calls it biggest GOP defeat John Steenhuisen, DA MP and deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, called it the complete and utter repudiation of Trump and his Maga movement, the biggest Republican defeat since Watergate. > complete and utter repudiation of Trump and his Maga movement, the biggest Republican defeat since Watergate ## Key committees now led by Democrats The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will now be chaired by a Democrat. The House Ways and Means Committee will also be chaired by Democrats, offering South Africa more sympathetic hearings. ## Meeks and Shaheen condemn Agoa removal Senior Democrats Gregory Meeks and senator Jeanne Shaheen condemned Trump's decision to remove South Africa from Agoa. They said it prioritised political spectacle over US strategic interests. ## But the president decides Agoa eligibility Elizabeth Sidiropoulos noted that although Congress passed Agoa, decisions about which countries are eligible lie with the president. Any appeal by Pretoria is unlikely to succeed. ## Sixty days to reverse the decision The legislation requires the administration to give sixty days' notice of removing a country from Agoa. South Africa has until early January to try to reverse the decision. ## Agoa's shrinking importance to SA Minister Parks Tau said Agoa exports were valued at about one point seven billion dollars in two thousand twenty five, down from four billion dollars in two thousand twenty four. ## Steenhuisen urges free trade deal instead John Steenhuisen suggested South Africa negotiate a conventional reciprocal free trade agreement with the US instead of relying on Agoa. This would provide certainty for agriculture and manufacturing planning. > Particularly for agriculture and manufacturing, you need to be able to plan. And this uncertainty is unhelpful. ## Democrats to tackle Trump's tariffs House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said overturning Trump's tariffs would be a top priority in Democrats' first one hundred days. Democrats argue tariffs raised the cost of living for American consumers. ## Agoa renewal likely under Democrats A Democratic Congress is likely to pursue a long term renewal of Agoa, which expires in December two thousand twenty eight. Agoa also enjoys support from many Republicans in Congress. ## Aid and refugee restrictions back on table Steenhuisen said Trump administration cuts of aid and especially the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief are now back on the table under Democratic control. ## Democrats oppose Afrikaner refugee plan Democrats vowed to oppose Trump's decision to restrict refugee admissions to white South African Afrikaners. Gregory Meeks said it was not just a racist dog whistle but a politically motivated rewrite of history. > it's not just a racist dog whistle, it's a politically motivated rewrite of history ## Democrats still concerned about non-alignment Joshua Meservey noted that US concern about South Africa's non-non-alignment is bipartisan. Democratic senator Chris Coons proposed reviewing South Africa's Agoa eligibility over its failure to condemn Russia's Ukraine invasion. ## Right-wing groups lose influence Steenhuisen said the rout of Trump was a major blow to Afri-Magas like AfriForum. These right-wingers will fade into lack of influence in Washington as Democrats now chair committees. ## Lex Libertas disputes the impact Ernst Roets, executive director of Lex Libertas, disagreed that the election was a setback. He said Trump is still president and Democrats are frustrated by South Africa's conduct, so attention will continue. ## Trump may retreat to foreign policy Steenhuisen warned that as a lame duck domestically, Trump may retreat to areas where he has presidential power. He could double down on his international agenda where Congress constrains him less. ## Lame ducks often turn to foreign policy Political scientists Daniel W Drezner and Elizabeth N Saunders warn that lame ducks often turn to foreign policy where presidential power allows them to act unfettered by domestic politics. > As they think about their legacy, lame ducks often turn to foreign policy, where the power of the presidency allows them to act unfettered by pesky domestic politics. ## A cornered Trump may lash out Drezner and Saunders warn that a boxed in Trump with no obvious constructive foreign policy outlet may lash out internationally. Congress will have little power over his day to day management of foreign policy. > A boxed-in Trump, with no obvious constructive foreign policy outlet to channel his energy, may well lash out internationally. ## Key takeaway South Africa sees opportunity to restore US relations after Democrats won Congress, but Trump retains foreign policy power and may escalate attacks on the country.