The TRADE research entity hosted a special lecture by the Trade and Investment officer of the United States Embassy on 29 August at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom.

Mr Juan Cammarano, trade and investment officer at the US Embassy, spoke about the trade relations between the United States of America and South Africa. He focused on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade agreement, which includes South Africa.

He indicated that the US is open for trade, despite the current trade war between the US and China. Mr Cammarano said that the US trade policy is for an equal playing field for all countries to trade.

In 2018, South Africa was the top supplier of goods from Sub-Saharan Africa to the US, and South Africa accounts for approximately one-third of the export from the region to the US. Exports to the US grew by 10% in 2018, and the exports from South Africa to the US exceed the imports from the US by close to US$3 billion.

The AGOA agreement has an end date of 2025, and it is not certain whether the agreement will be extended. For African countries to be eligible to be included in the agreement, they need to adhere to certain criteria, such as: must be a market-based economy; must respect rule of law; must combat corruption and bribery among others.

According to Mr Cammarano, the US still has a positive outlook towards South Africa, despite some policy statements in conflict with US policy, and trade will continue between the two countries.

 Present at the special lecture was Prof Danie Meyer, director for TRADE, Mr Juan Cammarano, trade and investment officer at the US Embassy, Prof Wilma Viviers, World Trade Organisation Chair and member of TRADE, Mr Francois Fouché, TRADE-Advisory, and Ms Pamela Cheuka of the US Embassy.