Trump-Ramaphosa meeting: South Africa must defend free trade and multilateralism

South Africa emerged from apartheid into a democracy to become a symbol of reconciliation and burgeoning global partnerships, which reflected the diverse solidarity during the struggle for liberation and optimism about its future. South Africa's statesman has delicately, and sometimes deftly, navigated a world characterised by diverse and occasionally conflictual interests detrimental to collective human progress.

This week, a delegation from the government of South Africa, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will meet US government officials and President Trump in efforts to reset bilateral relations after diplomatic ties rapidly soured since Trump took office.

The aggressive and hostile posture taken by the US government poses existential threats to the South African government, risks dividing the country along contentious racial lines, torching racial, ethnic, and ideological conflict, which will derail post-apartheid economic progress, and South Africa’s multilateral role in Africa and the world.

 There are concerns that South Africa could lose duty-free access to the US market after the US unilaterally cut aid to Pretoria, uplifted a group of white Afrikaner commercial farmers amidst unfounded allegations that they faced genocide at home, criticised laws seeking to facilitate historical colonial injustices and amplified its hostile rhetoric towards Pretoria.

 South Africa also faces high tariffs imposed on trading partners since President Trump came to power, which in many ways renders AGOA irrelevant and risks debilitating adverse economic effects across the African continent. Some of South Africa’s major trading partners, such as China, faced as much as 150 percent in tariffs, which have raised fears of global recession and high

inflation.

Media reports suggest that the South African government delegation will focus on mending and strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade and economic relations, and addressing a spate of misinformation about the alleged persecution of white Afrikaners.

Bilateral discussions will also focus on the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade program that allows duty-free exports from eligible African countries, which is up for review later this year.

Since 1994, the successive South African governments have sought to uphold free trade and multilateralism, relentlessly seeking to assert the voice of the global south and Africa in multilateral platforms, while protecting the sovereign status of nations and their self-determination.

South Africa emerged out of apartheid to become a regional leader committed to reconciliation, a shining beacon of hope and progress. South Africa independently forged cordial diplomatic relations stretching from the West to the East, including such powers as the EU and China, while rendering its voice to the struggles of smaller oppressed nations such as Cuba and Palestine.

 Despite historical US and Western support towards the apartheid regime, South Africa forged close political and economic ties with Washington and the EU, as well as historical allies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which shared solidarity and actively supported its liberation struggle.

 Major powers worked closely with Pretoria to forge strong diplomatic ties and grow trade, while contributing to democratic stability at home and on the African continent. Since 1994, South Africa has actively played a pivotal role in fostering peace and stability across the African continent.  It has further represented African interests in multilateral platforms, closely coordinating with other African countries and global allies to make sure that the global south and African voices are not ignored or silenced, but heard.

South Africa plays an important role within the global south and continental development. As the largest and probably the most sophisticated emerging economy in Africa, South Africa became the first African country to join the BRICS group of countries. The BRICS is the fastest-growing and most diverse economic bloc, whose development is driving a significant shift into a more equal multipolar world. The BRICS has also created new economic opportunities for intra-global south economic cooperation, trade, and investment. 

South Africa has also built strong diplomatic and economic relationships with China, set to drive multilateral relations based on mutual respect and benefit, and respect for sovereignty and self-determination as defined under United Nations protocols.

 China, which has overtaken the US as South Africa, and Africa’s major development partner, is the second largest economy in the world. According to the China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), as of 2023, China's outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in South Africa reached approximately US$5.84 billion, and the cumulative investment value exceeded US$10 billion.

Such two-way growing investment inflows have allowed free exchange of expertise and technology. Growing partnerships executed through the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a high-level multilateral platform involving China and 53 African countries, are set to render more impetus to African continental economic modernisation, driving trade, industrial development, agriculture, health, and infrastructure sectors, among others. China’s leading technological capabilities can support South Africa and Africa’s industrialisation and enable the continent to export more than just raw commodities, but also high-quality and high-value processed goods.

South Africa holds the G-20 presidency, whose membership is set to include the African Union (AU). Together with other African countries and the leadership of the African Union, Pretoria is at the forefront of ensuring that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a reality. The AfCFTA, which opens a continental market of over 1.3 billion people, allowing intra-continental free movement of goods and people, provides a major incentive for investment into the continent by trusted major economies.

As the President of the US, the largest economy in the world, and one of the major global leaders in an emerging multilateral order, sits down with the President of South Africa, they should remind themselves that they bear responsibilities way beyond partisan insular interests. Free trade and multilateralism are in the development interest of South Africa and the world, as much as national sovereignty and self-determination.

South must safeguard its domestic, continental, and foreign policy interests by rejecting any form of unprincipled enticements and bullying. The instrumentalisation of coercive economic and political power, or economic bullying, is detrimental to the spirit of open economic participation by all nations. 

There is no doubt that dialogue is an important step, and diplomacy is the best way to address any international political or economic differences. However, such diplomacy must be based on shared principles rooted in mutual respect and shared interests, upholding free trade and multilateralism.

Indeed, South Africa may have to stylistically innovate to facilitate cordial engagement with a highly volatile and unpredictable Trump administration. However, Pretoria may have to take a leaf from Beijing in upholding shared multilateral principles and its place in history as an important continental power, and a legitimate voice for Africa and the global south.

South Africa must strive to defend its legitimate rights and interests, uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the rules of the WTO and the multilateral trading system. This entails rejecting unilateralism and protectionism, and advocating for a world order founded on fairness, justice and equality among nations and their peoples.

Dr Gideon H Chitanga is a Political and International Relations Expert