The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Solidarity welcomes the White House’s announcement regarding the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and calls on the South African government to appreciate this meaningful gesture of friendship from the United States.

AGOA offers significant benefits to the South African economy and provides qualifying African countries with access to export thousands of products to the US under preferential conditions. The possible termination of this agreement created serious uncertainty and threatened to inflict considerable damage on the South African economy and employment.

According to Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI), Solidarity has long called for the extension of AGOA and has also, over an extended period, played an important non-state diplomatic role in advocating for the preservation and promotion of the agreement.

“Solidarity has actively advocated for the preservation and extension of AGOA over a long period because it is not merely about trade, but about jobs, economic growth and stability for ordinary South Africans. The announcement brings great relief. We welcome this decision and see it as a positive step that can promote economic certainty,” says Du Buisson. 

Du Buisson says the South African government should seize this proverbial olive branch from Washington and ensure that South Africa does not weaken its relationship with one of its most important trading partners through unnecessary policy decisions or diplomatic tensions.

“This decision shows that there is still room for cooperation and good relations. South Africa should act cautiously to avoid alienating its most important trading partner through unnecessary geopolitical positioning or policy decisions. The principles of neutral international alignment and pragmatic diplomacy should form the point of departure,” says Du Buisson. 

Solidarity emphasises that AGOA is not merely a technical trade agreement, but a mechanism that affects thousands of South African workers, families and businesses. Decisions regarding international relations should therefore consider the practical impact on ordinary people.

Furthermore, Solidarity will continue to do its part by providing input and participating in processes to, where necessary, also act internationally in the interests of the country and its people.

Issued by Solidarity