South Africa Plans US Mission to Lobby Against Review of Ties
South Africa’s newly formed government will use an upcoming forum on US preferential trade access to push back against a Senate review of ties between the two countries.
The House of Representatives last month passed a law requiring a full assessment off bilateral relations and submitted it to the Senate for approval.
South African business lobby groups have warned the legislation threatens to curb trade with the world’s biggest economy at a time when the country needs to accelerate economic growth to address widespread inequality.
A review of ties may risk South Africa’s access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides the country with duty-free access to the US market.
Two-way trade between the two nations amounted to $23.7 billion last year, with South Africa shipping cars and agricultural produce under the accord.
US lawmakers called for the review of relations in February, after South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide.
They also cited reasons including South Africa’s history of “siding with malign actors,” including Hamas, which the US designates as a terrorist organization, and its pursuit of closer ties with China and Russia.
