Senator pledges support for AGOA renewal as South Africa highlights Atlanta

Supervision strengthening links with Africa as a spiritual and moral imperative, WE Sen. Rafael Warnock committed to supporting trade policy crucial to the continent’s economic prospects.

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

“You can hear my commitment to making this happen,” Mr Warnock said to applause from a small but influential crowd at the ceremony. 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 Brigety and promulgated in partnership with Prosper 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.

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

Ever the preacher, Mr. Warnock said during his opening speech that Atlanta, as the birthplace of the civil rights movement, shares a kinship with South Africa, whose fight 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.

“Although we know that Georgia and South Africa are thousands of kilometers apart, our stories have parallels that run through our history further than any distance,” said Mr. . Warnock.

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.”

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

“Whatever directly affects one, affects all indirectly. This is the moral basis for strengthening our trade relations,” he said. “We are inspired by our history: that of 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 bigotry. And they never gave in to hatred. They saw the spark of the divine even in those who made them victims of subjugation.

He added that the continued partnership is in some ways a continuation of Mandela and King’s vision.

“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 a $160 million data center in 2022 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.

According to him, trade should develop as the two sides get to know each other better.

“Currently, bilateral trade between Atlanta and South Africa is over $240 million. With all due respect, that’s good, but it’s nothing compared to what it could be,” Brigety said.

Zoom out to Georgia and the picture is a little rosier: $540 million of imports from South Africa, led by vehicles, against $137 million of exports of food products, transport equipment, chemicals and other Georgian products, which brings total trade to $677 million.

Prosper Africa Coordinator 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, all of your members,” she said, stressing that the 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.

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

The bilateral relationship, he said, too often focuses 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,” Mr. Costa said. “What we can influence are business investments and the guarantee of economic returns. The senator said it was not a zero-sum game; I think that’s the real magic of trade and investment: it will benefit both parties.”

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

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

Zanele Sanni, Executive Director of Export Promotion at South Africa Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Competitionsaid Mr Warnock’s support for the imminent 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 that we could take home as a result of this engagement here.”

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

“It is so necessary and, in my opinion, short-sighted that my colleagues in the House have so far authorized it for one 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 executives 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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