By Enyichukwu Enemanna
South African Trade Minister Parks Tau on Friday met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as Pretoria seeks to reach a new trade deal with Washington, Tau’s office confirmed in a statement.
“Minister Tau held a cordial and constructive meeting with the USTR on matters of mutual interest. The meeting was preceded by intensive three-day discussions by senior officials,” South Africa’s trade ministry said in a statement.
“Both parties agreed to a roadmap that will inform future engagements towards the conclusion of the process.”
The meeting comes as South Africa make moves to roll back tariffs imposed by the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump had last month slammed a 30% tariff on imports from South Africa, after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government made several unsuccessful attempts to secure what it could consider a fair trade agreement.
The tariff rate is the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa and could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time when South Africa is facing a gloomy economy, with unemployment rate hitting 30%.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative had not disclosed the outcome of the meeting between Greer and Tau.
South Africa’s relationship with the U.S. reached a diplomatic low this year over various issues, including Trump’s accusations of persecution of South Africa’s white minority
In addition to expulsion South Africa’s Ambassador in Washington, US also discontinued humanitarian aids to Pretoria.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen had last month said South Africa needs to address some of Trump’s criticisms, including his opposition to affirmative action laws aimed at redressing apartheid-era racial discrimination in order to secure a fair trade deal.
