Agoa, better now than later

OPTIMISTIC MINISTER: AU HOPES AMERICA DECIDES ON RENEWAL BEFORE NOVEMBER VOTE

- Lies] Peyper

Having to wait until 'sometime in 2025' for a decision on the renewal is seen as least ideal scenario.

South Africa will have discussions with both presidential candidates in the run-up to the US elections in November in its efforts to secure continued access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

This is according to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, who, along with his two deputy ministers, briefed the media on Tuesday on the department's recent international trade engagements.

Tau and his deputy Andrew Whitfield were in the US from 24 to 26 July for the 21st Agoa Summit, while second deputy minister Zuko Godlimpi represented SA at the Brics+ meeting in Moscow.

Tau told the media his department intends to have follow-up visits to the US in the next few months.

Although both the Republican and Democratic parties showed "appetite" to renew SA's participation in Agoa, Tau notes that decision-making is "fluid" because of election season.