South Africa's Ramaphosa: Country Must Prepare for Potential Loss of US AGOA Trade Benefits; Jobs Impact Would Be "Devastating"
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that the country must prepare for its potential exclusion from the United States' duty-free trade initiative, AGOA, as relations between Washington and Pretoria have soured, Reuters reported on October 19.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products, and South Africa has benefited from it for years. President Donald Trump's administration has cracked down on South Africa for what Trump claims is its persecution of white people; South Africa's government says this is a falsehood spread by fringe groups. Ramaphosa said it remained to be seen whether South Africa would remain part of AGOA and that his government was in discussions with US counterparts; some US officials have suggested South Africa should be excluded.
"I need, as president, to prepare us if it ever happens," Ramaphosa said. He said the impact on jobs would be "devastating" and that he and Deputy President Paul Mashatile have been travelling around the world to explore alternative markets. Ramaphosa cited a recent trade agreement with China as a positive step; China introduced a zero-tariff scheme for qualifying South African goods in May. (GSM, via Reuters)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：南非行政首都比勒陀利亚的联合大厦。总统拉马福萨称南非须为可能失去美国AGOA免税待遇作准备。（供稿图）
