U.S. signals possible S. Africa exclusion as tensions rise

AWANI

Washington says it may treat South Africa differently from other African nations as it considers extending African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with USTR Jamieson Greer calling Pretoria a “unique case.”

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00:00U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer says he is open to treating South Africa differently

00:05from other African nations if Washington extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA.

00:13Greer says the Trump administration supports a one-year AGOA extension

00:17but sees South Africa as a unique case and could consider excluding it if Congress pushes in that direction.

00:24AGOA, a law first passed in 2000 that provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products, expired in September.

00:36Greer said that Pretoria must lower tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers on U.S. products

00:42if it wants Washington to roll back its 30% duties on South African goods.

00:47South Africa's Trade Ministry told Reuters it remains committed to being part of any AGOA extension

00:53and will continue lobbying for the initiative to be renewed in its current form.

00:58Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months.

01:02Washington boycotted a G20 leader summit hosted by Pretoria last month

01:06and has said South Africa will not be invited to next year's G20 summit in Miami.

01:12This after U.S. President Donald Trump accused South Africa's government of committing white genocide,

01:18a claim Pretoria widely rejects.

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