Rwanda, once a model partner of the United States, now in the crosshairs of the Trump administration

Rwanda's relations with the U.S. have deteriorated, leading to its exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act starting January 1, 2027. This decision affects Rwandan economic actors who will lose access to tax exemptions for exports to the U.S. The Trump administration cites Rwanda's involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing it of supporting the M23 rebel group, which violates a peace agreement established in December 2025.