Senator pledges support for AGOA renewal as South Africa highlights Atlanta

Supervise and strengthen links with Africa as a spiritual and moral imperative, WE The Senator Rafael Warnock committed to supporting trade policy crucial to the continent’s economic prospects.

THE Georgia The Democrat assured a visiting delegation in March of South Africa that he would work to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, which, without congressional action, will expire in 2025.

“You can hear my commitment to making this happen,” Warnock said to applause from a small but influential crowd. Atlanta Metro Room.

The group had crossed the Atlantic from South Africa on a mission known as “Atlanta Phambili”, borrowing the Zulu word for
“Before.”

Designed by the United States Ambassador to South Africa Ruben Brigéty and promulgated in partnership with Thriving in Africathe initiative’s philosophy is that Atlanta – with its black business successes, strong historically black universities, and African diaspora communities – should be the new nexus of U.S.-South Africa relations.

Joining Mr. Brigety were leaders from various South African companies and government and private trade and industry associations who spent three days interacting with Atlanta’s “rich ecosystem,” Mr. Brigety said.

Ever the preacher, Mr. Warnock said in his opening remarks that Atlanta, as the birthplace of the civil rights movement, shares a kinship with South Africa, whose struggle against apartheid was informed by Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of his era, although the United States itself was slow to condemn the segregationist system.

“While we know that Georgia and South Africa are thousands of miles apart, our stories have parallels that run through our history far beyond any distance,” Mr Warnock said.

Leaders like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela knew that humanity is woven “into a single garment of destiny,” as King said, and caught in an “inescapable web of mutuality.”

That’s why the United States should view Africa’s prosperity as vital to its own interests, Warnock said.

“Whatever directly affects one, indirectly affects all the others. This is the moral basis for strengthening our trade relations,” he said. “We are inspired by our history: Black people on both sides of the Atlantic, facing systemic oppression and racial discrimination. But they never gave in. They never gave in to lies and intolerance. And they never gave in to hatred. They saw the spark of the divine even in those who made them victims of enslavement. »

He added that the search for a partnership is in some ways a continuation of the vision of Mandela and King.

“I think your coming here today means that we are always dreaming new dreams and we are determined to make those dreams come true.”

Mr. Brigety acknowledged that the city’s civil rights legacy is indicative of the values ​​shared by the two countries.

He added that the United States remains a preferred trading partner and market for African companies and producers, and that American companies like Equinixwhich announced in 2022 a $160 million data center in Johannesburgcontinue to invest in Africa.

“These investments represent a powerful vote of confidence in South Africa’s skilled workforce and a commitment to our bilateral relationship,” Mr Brigety said.

For Atlanta Phambili to achieve the “deeper framework” envisioned, it will take more than the first step represented by the March trip, the ambassador said.

“Let me say in this context: Atlanta Phambili is not just an event; It will be a process. It will be a continued journey together to make Atlanta the focal point of the positive agenda between the United States of America and South Africa.

Trade, he said, is expected to grow as the two sides get to know each other better.

“Currently, bilateral trade between Atlanta and South Africa exceeds $240 million. With respect, it’s nice, but it’s nothing compared to what it could be,” Mr Brigety said.

Zoom out to Georgia and the picture is a little rosier: $540 million in imports from South Africa, mainly vehicles, compared to $137 million in exports of food, transport equipment, chemicals and even more from Georgia, bringing the total trade to $677 million.

Coordinator of Prosper Africa British Robinson said those gathered, including organizations serving Black-owned businesses and the diaspora, were an extension of the U.S. government’s efforts.

“This delegation aims to help us de-risk business opportunities for all of you, for all of your members,” she said, noting that US-Africa Trade Office had just opened to showcase African products to American buyers.

In June, the first deal backed by the bureau, a $56 million purchase of South African table grapes, was announced at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

When he spoke to the group in Atlanta, Mr. Warnock had just left Cape Town, where he visited an AGOA citrus farm.

Anthony CostaInvestment Director for the President’s Office South Africa’s Ambassador to South Africa, who accompanied Mr Warnock on his visit, said it was good for the senator to see in person the quality of South African products.

According to him, bilateral relations too often focus on high-level political issues on which the two sides do not always agree.

“And yet, this is not something that you or I can directly influence,” Costa said. “What we can influence is business investment and ensuring economic returns. The senator said this is not a zero-sum game; I think that’s the real magic of trade and investment, that it will benefit both sides.”

On June 27, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office held an annual virtual hearing on AGOA, and the biennial report that determines countries’ eligibility is due this year.

AGOA was enacted in 2000 to provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for 1,800 categories of products made in Africa. The goal is to encourage free enterprise and spur economic growth. Countries can lose these benefits if they violate human rights or abandon market-oriented policies.

Zanele Sanni, executive director of export promotion in South Africa Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Competitionsaid Mr Warnock’s support for the pending renewal of AGOA is essential as his team and other stakeholders promote South African products around the world.

“I don’t think there’s any better news we could bring home as a result of this commitment here.”

Mr. Warnock, for his part, added that he would work to extend the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, beyond the year Congress approved. Funding for antiretroviral drugs and AIDS education that the president enacted in 2003 George W. Bush has been credited with saving 25 million lives across the continent.

“It is so necessary and, in my opinion, shortsighted that my colleagues in the House have so far authorized it again for another year,” Mr Warnock said. PEPFAR, which has allocated more than $90 billion since 2003 to fight HIV/AIDS, has until March 2025.

The day before the breakfast, delegation members enjoyed dinner with the civil rights legend, former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Andrew Younghighlighting once again the similarities in Atlanta and South Africa’s struggles for justice and equality.

“We both share certain aspirations and visions: we have overcome difficulties, we demonstrate great resilience and we believe not only in economic growth, but also in inclusive economic growth,” Mr. Costa said. “As Ambassador Young said last night, capitalism and human rights go hand in hand. And I think that speaks a lot to the South African spirit.

In addition to those present at the breakfast, other U.S. government officials who interacted with the delegation included:

Overall, the delegation also included leaders from major African banks, including:

• Standard banking grouprepresented by Sim Tshabalala
• Rand Merchant Bankrepresented by Nana Phiri
• Southern African Development Bankrepresented by Mpho Mokwele

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