South African meat producers could consider litigation against the US if it imposes new tariffs on aluminium-based exports such as vehicles, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said. Amid a threat of a global trade war, the US and its African counterparts are discussing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), a preferential-trade programme that enhances market access to the US for about 40 sub-Saharan nations by eliminating import levies on more than 7,000 products ranging from textiles to manufactured items. In 2016, SA retained preferential access for its farming goods to the world’s biggest market after meeting benchmarks set by US president Barack Obama to allow the import and sale of US meat products. SA is the largest nonoil-exporting beneficiary under Agoa and the bulk of its shipments under the accord are vehicles and car parts. SA’s government is concerned that the US is considering a new wave of tariffs that could be extended to the vehicle industry, which is one...

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