Business
U.S. – Africa Trade: Much Progress has been made; but we haven’t tried everything yet.
Second, the conversation needs to be driven by business and by the market, rather than just political or even emotional considerations.
Third, an emphasis must be placed on reaching the level of people’s individual lives. This accountability – making sure agreements work for the farmer who is trying to move something from one market to the next – is what trade is all about in many ways.
THN: What do you have to say about the current conundrum that South Africa finds itself vis-a-vis AGOA, and also its relationship with Europe?
KK: South Africa is an important part of this conversation, and it has been an economic driver and a linchpin of regional integration. I do not think we should do anything to undermine this role, which graduating South Africa from AGOA would threaten.
I do think that South Africa’s FTA with Europe has raised questions of how to make sure that U.S. enterprises are treated fairly, and it is in our long-term interest to make sure that we are part of the South African market going forward.
