Lamola: SA won’t compromise on its policies to appease US

Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola said South Africa was still not willing to bow to United States (US) pressure to amend some domestic policies as trade negotiations continue.

South Africa’s refusal to make concessions on its own policies follows Washington’s demand to review transformation laws, including controversial legislation on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land expropriation.

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US President Donald Trump’s administration previously led a disinformation drive against South Africa, incorrectly claiming a genocide against Afrikaner farmers.

Lamola gave a brief update on trade talks while speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London on Tuesday.

He said that South Africa won’t compromise on its policies to appease Washington.

Lamola said the trade talks needed to belimited to economic matters.

"Yes, that’s our view because we have got sufficient safeguards. If Parliament was not enough, there’s a court. The Expropriation Bill is in the Constitutional Court, which is very independent."

Despite refusing to give in to concessions, Lamola said the US was not letting up.

"Yes, they are insisting they should reopen but sometimes some of it is based on a clear misunderstanding, but sometimes it’s a clear understanding - it’s just ideological issues."

South Africa, which is being levied a 30% duty, has been trying to secure lower tariffs on exports for much of the year.