Agoa’ing, going, gone: Why SA’s Russian romance could poison relations with US
Being kicked out of Agoa could mean more than losing the financial benefits of a favourable trade deal. It would send a signal to the world that South Africa is an economic partner to be avoided
22 June 2023 - 05:03
There’s a deep sense of déjà vu that politics may, once again, be about to ring in economic despair. Few will forget December 2015 when, late at night, then president Jacob Zuma axed finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in favour of a little-known former mayor, David Des van Rooyen.
Nene later told the commission of inquiry into state capture that he was axed for refusing to rubber-stamp a nuclear deal pushed by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Today, it’s South Africa’s trade links with the US that may be the collateral damage of the Union Buildings’ desire to indulge Putin. ..
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