Cape Town – Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he travelled to Washington DC to secure the continued participation of the Western Cape province and South Africa in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) forum.
“The US is a huge part of our economy, if we have a look post-pandemic, it was the quickest return to jobs, investments, tourism from any component of the world that we trade with. Our products are popular here in the US and we have to make sure that we grow it even further than we have it at the moment,” Winde said, according to EWN.
Reports this week said that Winde and his entourage met with US Senate and House Committees on Foreign Relations and Ways and Means, discussing the importance of Agoa and addressing concerns related to security matters.
The premier emphasised that losing Agoa eligibility would be a major setback for the economy, especially in the Western Cape with its higher trade tariffs.
“We are fully aware that there are concerns over whether the US Government will retain and renew our membership come 2025. We are demonstrating through a series of meetings in Washington DC that our delegation has held so far, that as a province we value the benefits Agoa has brought to our region and country,” Suid-Kaap Forum quoted Winde’s office as saying.
Winde’s trip came as the South African government’s alleged political support of Russia has left Pretoria on frosty terms with the US.
A bipartisan group of American lawmakers recently urged the Biden administration to punish South Africa.
Our delegation in the US is hard at work securing the WC & SA’s eligibility to remain part of the Africa Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). At a host of meetings on Capitol Hill this week, robust & candid discussions have been held. ???? pic.twitter.com/nzrBwhRlnA
— Premier Alan Winde ?? (@alanwinde) June 13, 2023
The group of both US Democratic and Republican lawmakers requested the relocation of the Agoa forum, from South Africa to another country.
Agoa provides duty-free access to the US trade market for several African nations, with South Africa being the largest beneficiary.
In a letter dated June 9 and addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, the lawmakers express concerns over South Africa’s growing relationship with Russia, which is seen as a threat to US national interests.
A report about the letter was first published in New York Times on Tuesday.
US officials have claimed that South Africa may have assisted Russia by supplying arms for the conflict, although South African officials deny these allegations.
“We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africa’s damaging support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and possible violation of US sanctions law.
“Further, these actions by South Africa call into question its eligibility for trade benefits under AGOA due to the statutory requirement that beneficiary countries not engage in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests.
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“While we understand that the AGOA eligibility review processfor 2024 is under way and that decisions have not yet been made, we question whether a country in danger of losing Agoa benefits should have the privilege of hosting the 2023 Agoa Forum.
“Our concerns are shared by many South African citizens and businesses, who are increasingly vocal about deteriorating conditions in the country,” reads the letter.
But Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said that while the letter has been submitted – there was no decision by the US to move the trade forum elsewhere.
Monyela said that South Africa enjoyed support from the US government and other stakeholders for hosting the Agoa forum.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa ‘special envoys recently visited the US to meet and explain South Africa’s active non-aligned position on the Russia/Ukraine conflict to key stakeholders and decision makers.
“Our diplomats in Washington continue to engage on these matters. President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading an African Peace Mission (in the coming days) to Russia and Ukraine.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
