PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa wants Mzansi and the United States to deal with tariff issues constructively.
Speaking during the SA-US trade and investment dialogue, in New York on Wednesday night, 24 September, he said the relationship between the two countries was defined not only by diplomacy but by the practical ties of trade, investment and shared innovation.
He pointed out that the reciprocal tariffs recently imposed on South African exports have already disrupted supply chains and created uncertainty for both Mzansi exporters and American importers.
"The reality is that such measures do not only affect one side. They ripple across industries and communities in both our countries," said Ramaphosa.
He emphasised that the US is one of Mzansi's largest trading partners outside of Africa.
He said it's a top source of foreign direct investment in SA, supporting hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Ramaphosa said Mzansi is equally proud that some of its companies have established a footprint in the US, from chemicals, financial services to mining, hospitality and food products.
"These firms are ambassadors of our entrepreneurial spirit, our innovation and our global competitiveness."
Ramaphosa said he takes the engagement not only as an opportunity to deepen commercial ties but also as a platform to address the broader strategic imperatives that bind SA-US economies together.
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He also raised concerns that Mzansi faces the urgent matter of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which expires on Tuesday, 30 September.
Agoa has been the foundation of US-Africa trade for nearly a quarter of a century.
Ramaphosa highlighted that in Mzansi, it has supported jobs from auto assembly plants, farms to high-tech manufacturing hubs.
"Its expiry would not only undermine those gains but also remove the link to the Generalised System of Preferences, which has been so critical to many of our exporters. For this reason, I appeal for your support in advocating for its renewal."
He stressed that the conversation must look beyond immediate challenges.
"Africa is rising. The African Continental Free Trade Area is opening new horizons, creating a market of 1,4 billion people. South Africa is ideally positioned as your gateway into this market.
"We have the infrastructure, financial systems, legal and regulatory frameworks and regional linkages to serve as a platform for US companies to expand into the continent."
