The extension is now official. Like other beneficiary countries, Madagascar has two additional years to strengthen its exports to the American market. President Donald Trump signed the AGOA extension on September 2. It is now official. Donald Trump, President of the United States, has signed the law extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until December 31, 2028. After several months of uncertainty and a final step in Congress earlier this week, the scheme granting preferential access to the American market to several sub-Saharan African countries, including Madagascar, is thus extended by two additional years. Trump's signature closes the American legislative process. The text, referenced H.R. 6500, was approved by the Senate on August 8 by a very large majority, before being definitively adopted by the House of Representatives on September 1. The White House occupant enacted the text immediately after, signing it on September 2. For Madagascar, the stakes are high. The Great Island particularly benefits from AGOA in textiles, a major sector of manufacturing industry and employment, but also in agricultural sectors, including vanilla and spices, among others. "In terms of textiles and accessories, AGOA is the main market in terms of volume. It makes the United States the second market [destination for Malagasy exports] after Europe," explains Tiava Rajohnson, director general of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Consumption. In a statement reacting to the House vote earlier this week, the Ministry of Commerce and Consumption indicated that this decision is a source of hope, as it should help strengthen the confidence of exporters and investors and provide additional visibility to Malagasy economic operators. However, the ministry is already looking ahead to post-2028. Anticipating the next deadline, Malagasy authorities are expressing their desire to obtain a much longer extension. The stated objective is now to secure ten additional years. A prospect that would, according to the ministry, offer greater stability to businesses and encourage investments aimed at the American market. Strategic Interests This ambition is also being pursued at the African level. According to the Malagasy embassy in Washington, the ambassadors of Madagascar and Kenya to the United States, who co-chair the special committee dedicated to AGOA, affirm their willingness to continue efforts in favor of improving the scheme and extending it beyond 2028. The next diplomatic and commercial battle is clearly already underway. Like the AGOA extension process that has just been completed, obtaining ten additional years will not be easy. President Trump's signature is not a blank check granted to beneficiary countries. The "America First" doctrine of the White House occupant has been the anchor point of debates, blockages, and modifications to the text comprising the AGOA extension. Washington indeed wants the agreement to serve American commercial and strategic interests more. Jamieson Greer, American Trade Representative, had thus defended the idea that "21st century AGOA must demand more from our trading partners and offer better market access for our American farmers and ranchers (...) by ensuring more reciprocal trade with our sub-Saharan African partners, to strengthen American global competitiveness." On the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee, new provisions "to prioritize and streamline access and processing of critical minerals in AGOA beneficiary countries" were reportedly introduced in the text voted by the Senate. The Committee reportedly highlighted American strategic interests and stressed "the risk of leaving a void that competitors could exploit." On this question of partnership in the field of strategic resources, the Vara Mada project constitutes a burning issue in economic cooperation between Madagascar and the United States. Especially since it is the main American private investment in the country. President Trump had even sent emissaries to Madagascar in June on this matter. The project, however, remains on hold due to fierce opposition from the local population and certain political leaders. When questioned about his position on the Vara Mada project in an interview broadcast on the public channel on May 31, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, head of state, declared that he had set four conditions for investors, including "good cohabitation with the"