This comes amid growing concerns about the possibility of the country being removed from AGOA, following months of heightened tensions with the United States.

SA President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump next week to find ways to mend the strained bilateral relations.

Presidency Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, says, “Our trade basket is not entirely dependent on AGOA. Obviously, it’s a scheme that we would like to continue with, that we would like to see extended and our participation continuing. However, we’re not entirely dependent on AGOA or our trade eggs are not entirely in the AGOA basket. So, we’re ready to discuss a new trade framework. A great deal of work has been done to finalize that and have it ready at least at a high level to be discussed by the two presidents.”


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