Ramaphosa reaffirms SA's commitment to global diplomacy and diverse trade relations

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the nation will persist in its strategic engagement with partners from both the Global North and Global South. 

Ramaphosa’s remarks came in the aftermath of a fruitful engagement at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan, highlighting South Africa's commitment to bipartisan approach to international relations and diversifying its export markets.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s economic diplomacy was centred on securing market access, attracting investment and promoting sustainable development. 

Drawing inspiration from leading Pan-African advocate Kwame Nkrumah, Ramaphosa said South Africa will continue to engage with partners in both the Global North and Global South.

“Our approach is neither partisan nor beholden, but strategic,” Ramaphosa said. 

“At a time when our country faces potentially high tariffs imposed by the US administration, we are continuing to put in place measures that reduce our dependence on historical markets.” 

Recent developments have put South Africa's trade landscape under pressure, particularly following a significant 30% tariff increase on South African exports to the United States.

This move by the US administration, attributed to claims of South Africa undermining US foreign policy interests and allegedly disadvantaging white Afrikaners, has been firmly dismissed by Pretoria.

Since the US imposed hefty tariffs on South African products, the government has been clear that it was looking at Asia, including Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, the Middle East and India due to growing demand, existing negotiations and a positive reception to South African products. 

In the face of these challenges, Ramaphosa assured that measures were in place to mitigate the dependence on traditional markets as the government continues to advocate for an international trade regime that is fair, equitable and rules-based.

He said the country was seeking a trade regime that does not render developing economies vulnerable to unilateral measures or protectionist pressures.

“Likewise, our foreign policy is anchored in multilateralism, respect for sovereignty and the pursuit of alliances that advance peace, justice and our national interest,” Ramaphosa said.

“South Africa’s foreign policy outlook is not determined by pressure exerted by outside forces, but by principle. It is on principle that we continue to stand with the Palestinian people in their quest for statehood, recognising as we do the pain of dispossession, land theft and state-sanctioned brutality.” 

South Africa’s participation at the TICAD9 has been hailed as a success as the countries strengthened economic and investment partnerships, highlighting the opportunities in critical minerals, renewable energy, agriculture and advanced manufacturing. 

At the business forum held on the sidelines of TICAD9, business representatives from South Africa and Japan discussed potential areas of collaboration in clean and renewable energy, automotive components and hydrogen production. 

Ramaphosa said Japan was an important trading partner for South Africa in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, technology and agriculture. 

“One of the promising discussions was around the continental expansion plans by the Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors. Isuzu’s South African plant has trialled the manufacture of commercial trucks and truck bodies locally, and is engaging with Isuzu Motors Japan on its plans to become a manufacturing hub for the African market,” Ramaphosa said.

“At a time of global trade disruptions and mounting tariff pressures, participating in forums like TICAD is key to our economic diplomacy efforts. Economic diplomacy is an important part of our country’s foreign policy, and has become all the more critical at a time of economic headwinds and global power shifts.”

BUSINESS REPORT