SA urgently needs a clear strategy to protect and expand our US trade relationship

South Africa’s trade relationship with the United States is at a precarious crossroads, posing a serious risk to our economy and future growth. While we can debate Washington’s stance toward us, we must also take responsibility for our role in this decline and establish a path to restoring a productive and mutually beneficial trade partnership.

Unfortunately, President Cyril Ramaphosa is not moving fast enough to protect and strengthen this relationship. His inaction has left a void, allowing ad-hoc interest groups and political parties to shape our engagement with Washington in an uncoordinated and potentially damaging manner.

South Africa cannot afford a diplomatic vacuum — especially in a relationship as economically significant as this one.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a prime example of what is at stake. Agoa, which grants South African exports duty-free access to the US market, is a critical pillar of our trade strategy.

In 2023 alone, South Africa exported goods worth more than $3-billion to the US under Agoa, supporting industries such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. The US is South Africa’s second-largest export market, and any disruption to this access would be a devastating blow to our economy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJdf67PwmS8

However, South Africa’s diplomatic choices have sent mixed signals to our largest trade partners. Despite claiming a stance of nonalignment, the government’s engagements with Russia, Iran, and Hamas have raised red flags in Washington.

Further exacerbating tensions is the conduct of former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, whose rhetoric contributed to a deterioration in relations. Regardless of personal views on the Donald Trump administration, it was a diplomatic blunder of catastrophic proportions for an ambassador to publicly attack and disparage his hosts.

In today’s digital age, every statement is recorded and scrutinised — an experienced diplomat should have understood the consequences of reckless commentary.

We must mend this relationship. President Ramaphosa has repeatedly emphasised South Africa’s historic and strategic ties with the US. We cannot afford to passively accept the current state of affairs or abandon this long-standing partnership.

However, we must also acknowledge that our diplomatic missteps extend beyond mere mismanagement — they have, at times, been deliberate. This pattern has persisted across both the Biden and Trump administrations. Despite claiming a stance of nonalignment in global affairs, South Africa’s actions suggest otherwise.

Hamas

Trade management strategy