Newsletters
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday that Democrats’ strong performance in the U.S. midterm elections could usher in a “new era in world relations” and help improve strained ties between Pretoria and Washington.
Speaking to reporters after voting in South Africa’s local government elections, Ramaphosa said he hoped the political shift in the U.S. would create room for renewed cooperation.
“I do think that this group is going to introduce a new era in world relations,” Ramaphosa said.
“We’re hoping that on a bilateral basis, there will be a coming together of minds where we will find a proper path forward on geopolitics as well as on trade matters and investment matters,” he added.
Ramaphosa’s remarks came after Washington removed South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, which gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the U.S. market.
The decision is set to take effect Jan. 1 and has raised concerns that thousands of jobs could be lost in South Africa, the program’s largest beneficiary.
South Africa is also the U.S.’ largest trading partner on the African continent, with more than 500 U.S. companies and 30,000 U.S. citizens based in the country.
Tensions between the two countries have grown over disputes involving race, trade and foreign policy.
Washington has cut aid, imposed tariffs, expelled South Africa’s ambassador and boycotted a G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted Ramaphosa at the White House over claims of a “white genocide,” which the source described as discredited.
Ramaphosa said he hoped the U.S. election outcome could help the two governments find a path forward on geopolitical, trade and investment issues.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
1 min read
