US Vice President JD Vance cancels planned Kenya visit, but trade talks with Nairobi will continue

The development comes amid ongoing discussions to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, despite the disruption in high-level diplomatic engagements.

The cancellation followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American officials from the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, citing alleged human‑rights abuses against the white Afrikaner minority, a claim South Africa has repeatedly rejected.

Trump announced that “no U.S. government officials will attend” the summit scheduled for November 22–23, 2025, describing the summit’s location as “a total disgrace” and linking the decision to broader complaints over South Africa’s policies on land reform and refugees.

The G20 withdrawal directly affected the scheduling of JD Vance’s Kenya visit, which had been planned immediately after the summit.

Reuters reports that Kenya’s foreign ministry confirmed the cancellation, but emphasized that it “will not affect the strong and enduring ties between our two nations.”

Despite the cancelled visit, Kenya continues to prioritize its trade relationship with the United States.

Nairobi aims to conclude a bilateral trade deal by the end of 2025, seeking duty-free access for its exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due to expire this month.

President William Ruto has emphasized the need for at least a five-year extension of AGOA, describing it as a vital platform that connects African producers to the U.S. market.

Kenya hopes the agreement will cover key sectors including apparel, textiles, agriculture, tea, coffee, avocados, mining, and fisheries.

The country is looking to diversify its trade partnerships while maintaining strong engagement with Washington, particularly as U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern over Kenya’s growing economic ties with China.

Officials say diplomatic channels will continue to drive discussions on trade agreements, investment, and bilateral cooperation. If finalized, the deal would be the first of its kind between a sub-Saharan African nation and the U.S., marking a significant milestone in Africa-U.S. economic relations.