By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is optimistic about South Africa’s trade relations with the United States following a visit to the White House.
This was revealed by presidency spokersperson Vincent Magwenya, who hosted a media to update the public on Ramaphosa’s programme and to address topical issues of interest.
Magwenya said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) team has presented a proposal to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and that formal engagements on a new trade relationship are planned for mid to late June.
“A lot of people based their analysis of that meeting on what they saw on their TV screens in the Oval Office, and the real meat of the meeting was what transpired in the closed session,” Magwenya told journalists during the question-and-answer session of the meeting.
Magwenya said the president is enthused and satisfied with his discussion with Trump.
He added that the president remains hopeful about the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) trade scheme, but he is prepared to discuss a new trade relationship framework if necessary.
Regarding tariffs imposed on South Africa, Magwenya said the country has included the tariff issue in a proposed trade package it has submitted for consideration.
“One of the key elements of that trade relationship will be to look at the tariff regime that must be balanced in the context of working towards a mutually beneficial trade relationship,” he said.
Magwenya also addressed Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane’s recent conduct during a committee Q&A session, where she appeared to chew bubble gum.
The president has requested a detailed report on the decorum and substance of Nkabane’s engagement with the portfolio committee.
The request for the report is in view of the president’s expectation that ministers, deputy ministers and senior executives in the public sector conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging with Parliament and other accountability structures,” he said.
The report is expected to cover the process of appointing board members to the Sector Education and Training Authority.
The president has also offered his condolences to Zambia’s former president, Edgar Lungu, who died at 68 on Thursday.
Lungu had been receiving medical care in a clinic in Pretoria for an extended period prior to his passing.
Magwenya says the government will work with the Zambian High Commission to assist the Lungu family.
“Ramaphosa has learned with sadness of the passing of former President of Zambia, President Edgar Lungu. The President offers his condolences to Lungu’s family, friends and the people of Zambia. “