SA would like to secure a bilateral trade deal in the agricultural sector with the US during Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump’s meeting this week.
The US accounts for 4% of SA’s agricultural exports, totalling $13.7bn in 2024, according to data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA. However, the now-paused tariffs imposed by the US on SA goods, which effectively nullify SA’s preferential access to US markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), have affected trade within the sector.
Wednesday’s meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump is a platform for SA to renegotiate the trade relationship between the two countries
“The highest issues on my priority list will be securing trade relations between the US and SA, particularly in agriculture, to protect jobs, grow the economy and expand employment opportunities,” Steenhuisen said on Monday.
“Preferential trade agreements such as Agoa contribute significantly to our economy. Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm workers and the economy at large.”
Steenhuisen forms part of the government’s delegation to the US, which also includes minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau and international relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola.
Business organisations and trade unions will not form part of the delegation after engagements with US business in March.
The meeting comes amid mounting tension over Pretoria’s policy choices at home and with international partners and Washington’s hardline response, including offering Afrikaners refugee status after claims by right-wing groups of racial persecution.
Martin Kingston, who chairs the Business for SA (B4SA) steering committee, said organised business in SA expected a positive outcome from Ramaphosa’s engagements with Trump.
“We are hopeful that we can begin a reset of the relationship, which is manifestly in both countries’ interests and desired by both sides. President Ramaphosa is uniquely suited and qualified to commence that process. A proper process of engagement across all fronts in a co-ordinated manner is the best way to achieve that objective,” Kingston told Business Day.
With Hajra Omarjee
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