President Cyril Ramaphosa is gearing up for a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in Canada, where he will seek answers on trade agreements, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and US-SA tariffs.

Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, is an invited guest at the summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

The Group of Seven consists of the largest advanced economies like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US.

Sources said the G7 meeting was likely to be dominated by the Israel-Iran war that is currently underway.

“It’s unlikely that Ramaphosa will bring it up with Trump at their meeting seeing that Iran was now part of BRICS…he may avoid talking about it as the US is an ally of Israel. Ramaphosa is likely going to stick to trade agreenments,” the source said.

Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa’s participation in the G7 Summit outreach session would provide an opportunity to engage with various leaders on areas of common interest in bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation and to strengthen G7/G20 cooperation.

Ramaphosa is also expected to meet bilaterally with Chancellor of Germany Friedrick Merz on the sidelines of the summit.

“The Outreach Session aims to explore leadership and collaboration in driving a comprehensive approach to energy security with a focus on technology and innovation; diversification and strengthening critical mineral supply chains; and infrastructure and investment,” Magwenya said.

He said the Summit resonated with South Africa’s national interests and priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.  

“The Outreach Sessions of the G7 in which President Ramaphosa will participate has been a feature of the group over the years, with the aim to strengthen unity among G7 members and like-minded countries to deliberate on and address some of the world’s most pressing issues,” said Magwenya.

The meeting comes after Ramaphosa, on his arrival on Sunday, had a successful bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, where they discussed global peace and security, trade, and economic stability.

Carney assumed the Presidency of the G7 in January this year.

The US imposed tariffs on South African imports in April, with a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs of 30% against South African exports.

 The tariffs were part of a broader set of “liberation day” tariffs imposed by Trump on all US trading partners. 

However, they were later reduced to a base rate of 10%, with the expectation that countries would use the 90 days to propose solutions addressing the US’s trade deficit concerns.

According to sources, Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump will focus on key issues, including AGOA, which provides duty-free access to the US market for some African products. 

The agreement is set to expire in September, and South Africa is eager to see it renewed.

Ramaphosa will also raise concerns about US-SA tariffs, urging the US not to increase them beyond the current 10% if negotiations on a new trade framework are not concluded by July. 

The sources further said the meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump was crucial given the current state of US-SA trade relations. 

It was previously reported that the business sector had expressed concerns about the tariff hike and Ramaphosa was under pressure to come up with answers from Trump. 

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has approved a special arrangement with the US that allows for a more dynamic trade response to avian influenza or bird flu outbreaks.

This agreement will ensure a continued supply of chicken imports into South Africa, increasing food security and providing relief to millions of South Africans who rely on affordable protein.

Merlog Foods, one of the country’s largest importers of chicken and chilled products, has welcomed the agreement. 

“This is a sensible approach that the Department of Agriculture has followed with the US, and it should be replicated with all trusted global trading partners,” said Georg Southey, General Manager of Merlog Foods.

“The department’s approach is in line with the internationally accepted regionalisation strategy, which allows import restrictions to be applied to specific affected regions facing a zoonotic disease, rather than enacting a ban on an entire country. This approach will help prevent a looming shortage of affordable protein needed by millions of people,” Southey said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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