Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said his top priority during the government’s visit to the United States (US) this week will be growing the economy and expanding employment opportunities, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Steenhuisen forms part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to America, where the president hopes to outline South Africa’s trade agenda and repair a rocky relationship since the start of Donald Trump’s presidency in January.
It’s also been fuelled by misinformation about the country’s laws and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US.
John Steenhuisen
Steenhuisen said as a proud member of the Government of National Unity (GNU) delegation, he will make every effort to mend and improve relations between the two countries.
Ramaphosa set off from Waterkloof Air Force Base on Sunday night on what’s set to be one of his toughest diplomatic tasks since the formation of the GNU.
The visit comes just a week after 49 Afrikaners were welcomed by Trump’s officials to the US capital and granted refugee status after claiming persecution in South Africa.
DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the delegation, which will include Steenhuisen, is expected to further the aspirations of all South Africans.
“This delegation to Washington, DC represents all South Africans who have entrusted us to put the shared national interest and the desire for economic growth and job creation first, ahead of any party or ideological positions.”
Wearing his ministerial hat, Aucamp said Steenhuisen’s focus will be on maintaining preferential trade access to US markets.
“Losing these benefits will be disastrous for farmers, farmworkers, and the economy at large.”
Last week, Trump said he won’t be joining the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg in November because he continues to believe “bad things” are happening in the country.
South Africa stands to lose its duty-free access to US markets for certain products, including agricultural goods, when the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is renegotiated in September.
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