Former US Congress member Jason Altmire has raised concern about the Republican Party’s moves towards isolationism and his country’s apparent retreat in extending economic support to its African allies.
Speaking during a bipartisan webinar arranged by the US embassy in Pretoria on Tuesday evening, Altmire, now a lobbyist and author, said there was a concerning view among some politicians, especially in the Republican Party, that the US should reassess its role of exercising leadership worldwide.
He said some Republicans were of the view that extending the hand of friendship and support to US allies, especially in Africa, economically and otherwise, must be revisited.
“There is a view among some that that is not the US’ role; that it should be America first. That’s a statement you will hear a lot. When they talk about America first, that’s what they’re saying. They’re saying we should look at ourselves within our own borders and think less about the US’ role around the world and supporting developing nations in Africa and others,” he said.
The US is preparing for presidential elections in November that are expected to pit former Republican president Donald Trump against the Democrat incumbent, Joe Biden.
“I have great concern about the move towards isolationism. Former president Trump supports tariffs on imported goods from other nations. As it relates to our relationship with other nations, like SA and the continent of Africa, I’m hopeful isolationism will not prevail, and the US will continue to exercise leadership in that regard,” Altmire said.
But Republican leader in the Louisiana House of Representatives Julie Emerson said SA’s role as the leading economy on the continent meant Washington would remain its ally.
“I don’t believe with the election of Trump or Biden our policy or relationship with SA would change significantly,” she said.
The US and SA have trade relations spanning decades, but political ties were tested in 2023 amid the ongoing war between Russian and Ukraine. The two countries have also taken opposing stances concerning the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
A delegation of SA envoys led by trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau will visit the US to engage with its Congress, Senate and officials in Washington, to solidify trade relations after SA’s recent elections.
Cordial engagements
Speaking at a cabinet lekgotla at the weekend, Tau said the team would discuss various issues with the US leaders.
“I am convinced, based on the updates I have received so far, we will be able to articulate our position as a country and build on the historic engagements that have been there. I have been assured there have been cordial engagements between the SA government and the US government, including the legislatures,” he said.
Tau was responding to journalists after a bipartisan bill received by Congress that requires the US president to make determinations about the relationship between the US and SA.
The bill stated that no later than 30 days after the bill’s enactment, the US president must certify to Congress a determination whether SA has undermined US national security or foreign policy interests. This determination must also be released publicly, it said.
“The president must also report to Congress a comprehensive review of the US-SA bilateral relationship,” it said.
SA stands to lose a key treaty, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which provides duty-free product coverage for 1,835 products across Sub-Saharan Africa and that is up for review in 2025.
In 2021, the total value of SA exports to the US amounted to $15.4bn. Agoa benefits include job creation in agriculture and manufacturing, export earnings and economic development.
Altmire said foreign policy would be an issue in the November election, including the US’ relationship with China, another strong trading partner of SA.
He said US foreign policy in the next months would affect China’s relationships with developing economies, adding that Beijing was likely to use any retreat by the US from its African allies as leverage to build stronger ties with those countries.
“China pays very close attention to the US’ relationships with other nations. If we decide to withdraw our support from nations, China is going to be right there. They’re going to go in and build friendships. They’re already doing that and supporting countries economically, and building alliances based on the US’ decision to withdraw the alliances,” he said.
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.