South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, has called for direct dialogue with Washington to break a diplomatic stalemate. This comes as Pretoria prepares for the possibility of losing duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). Meyer told AFP that the situation is tense and there's a stalemate, but believes it can be addressed through direct dialogue between US and South African authorities.
South Africa is Agoa's largest beneficiary, and the programme gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market. The programme has been renewed until the end of 2028, but the US president reviews countries' eligibility annually. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently warned that exclusion would be devastating, while urging South Africans to prepare for the possibility. Ramaphosa said the government would seek alternative markets if exclusion occurred.
Relations between South Africa and the US have deteriorated since Donald Trump returned to office. Washington has cut aid, expelled South Africa's previous ambassador, and publicly criticised Ramaphosa over discredited claims of a "white genocide". Pretoria rejects these allegations. In September, Washington also announced visa restrictions targeting South Africans it wrongly accused of promoting "race-based discrimination", inciting violence, or enabling land confiscation without compensation.
The standoff has extended to the G20, with Washington refusing to accredit Pretoria for G20 meetings in the US, including December's leaders' summit. Meyer said he would not assign blame for the deterioration but saw repairing the relationship as his responsibility. He stressed that his job is to restore the relationship in the best possible way and as quickly as he can.
Meyer highlighted the economic importance of the relationship, noting that more than 600 US companies operate in South Africa. These companies provide jobs, and trade relations are crucial for both countries. Meyer said that improving relations at a trade level and a political level is necessary. He will act as a messenger to try and make it happen.
Although South Africa has been excluded from official US-hosted G20 meetings, Meyer confirmed that Pretoria has been invited to the B20, the G20's business forum, in Washington next month. The B20 is organised by business, and South Africa will participate with business representatives. Meyer said South Africa should not allow itself to become a "political football" but should put national interests first.
Any US decision to remove South Africa from Agoa would require 60 days' notice to Congress and to South Africa. For an exclusion to take effect on 1 January, it would need to be announced by 2 November. Meyer's call for direct talks reflects South Africa's central argument: that a decision with major consequences for jobs and exports should be based on verified facts and formal engagement, not political rhetoric.
Key points
- South Africa's ambassador to the US, Roelf Meyer, calls for direct dialogue to address a diplomatic stalemate over the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
- South Africa is Agoa's largest beneficiary, and exclusion would have devastating effects on the country's economy.
- The diplomatic stalemate between South Africa and the US has extended to the G20, with Washington refusing to accredit Pretoria for G20 meetings in the US.
