SA’s proposals to the US include continuation of AGOA
More than 32 African countries benefit from the US piece of legislation giving them duty-free access to the US market.
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the White House in Washington, United States, to meet his counterpart President Donald Trump over resetting the two countries' bilateral ties. Picture: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS
WASHINGTON - South Africa’s proposals to the United States (US) include the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
More than 32 African countries benefit from the US piece of legislation, giving them duty-free access to the US market.
South Africa has faced threats that it could be booted out of the programme following months of frosty relations with the US.
This could have dire consequences on the rest of the continent. There’s already a view that the hike in tariffs by Trump already nullifies the trade act.
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South Africa said even as the US mulls over its proposed trade and investment framework, there are no plans to leave the rest of the region and Africa behind.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that as one of the largest economies on the continent, it’s important for South Africa to maintain its African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and sub-Saharan perspective.
He said this is also how they will approach the tariff war that’s currently on pause.
“When we do settle down to talk about, for instance, tariffs, we are part of the Southern African Customs Union, so we will be talking about tariffs in that broader context,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa’s president also believes the pair has some views in common when it comes to geopolitics, mainly centred around the building of and keeping peace across nations.
He said Trump also acknowledged the role South Africa plays in peacekeeping efforts.
“We were condemned at an early stage, but much later people realised the role we play is a constructive role.”
Trump surprised some in the Oval Office when he gave a nonchalant response to questions about South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).