South Africa’s private sector is expected to take part in the Business 20 (B20) summit in Washington D.C., even as ties between Pretoria and Washington remain tense, IOL reported.
The US Chamber of Commerce is hosting the summit. It is expected to run from 9 to 11 November.
The meeting comes after the US announced plans to remove South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This will end the country’s duty-free access to US markets from 1 January 2027.
The US gave several reasons for the move. These included barriers to American trade and investment, corruption, and threats to US national security and foreign policy interests. The US also left South Africa out of the G20 Leaders Summit in Miami in December.
International relations expert Professor Andre Thomashausen said strong US business ties could help South Africa protect its trade benefits.
“American business interests in South Africa continue to be strong, especially in mining, energy generation and distribution and rail transport. These interests constitute a natural support base for South Africa’s foreign relations goals,” he said.
He added that, with diplomatic skill, South Africa might win support in the US Congress to stay in AGOA.
The B20 is the official G20 forum for the global private sector. It was set up in 2010 and brings business leaders together to make policy proposals on trade and global issues. South Africa is a permanent member because it belongs to the G20. It also hosted and chaired the B20 in 2025 during its G20 presidency.
Asked whether a special envoy would be sent to engage Congress, International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Phindile Kunene said the questions should go to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The department’s spokesperson, Kaamil Alli, said its earlier statement had already answered the questions. In that statement, the department said South Africa wants to keep trading with the US, but on its own terms. It said it would not change its local laws or transformation policies.
Ambassador Roelf Meyer said South Africa had moved past the G20 snub. He said the country was already working with the UK, which takes over the G20 presidency in 2027.
Business Unity South Africa told the media that the country is using the B20 platform to keep commercial ties alive. It said more than 400 US companies operate in South Africa.
PSG Financial Services chief economist Johan Els said the bigger worry is the effect on business confidence, investment and relations between the two countries. South Africa has accounted for about 54% of all AGOA exports since the programme began in 2000.
Els said losing AGOA would have a limited direct effect on the wider economy. He said some industries and groups of workers would still feel the pressure.
Professor Theo Neethling said it is hard to predict how President Donald Trump will treat South Africa. He said Trump has shown he can make practical deals when they serve his political interests.
“It would therefore be a mistake to underestimate him or to assume that political opposition will inevitably lead to a radical shift in his policy direction,” Neethling said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Business desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Anelisa Nkuna covers business and money news for Tzaneen Voice. Anelisa reports on the rand, fuel prices, interest rates, jobs, Eskom, Transnet, farming and company results. The aim is simple: explain what the numbers mean for household budgets, small businesses and workers in South Africa.