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South African delegation led by the Department of Trade,
Industry and Competition appeared before the Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative in Washington this week as part of a
Section 301 investigation examining whether at least 60
economies adequately enforce bans on imports of goods made with
forced labor.
The delegation stressed that South Africa has ratified key
International Labor Organization conventions prohibiting forced
labor and has legislation that allows authorities to block
imports produced using forced labor. It also noted that goods
produced through prison labor are already prohibited under South
African law.
It urged Washington not to impose a proposed 12.5% tariff on
South African exports and requested exemptions for key exports,
including platinum group metals, vehicles, citrus, seafood,
wine, and nuts, arguing there was no evidence they were produced
using forced labor.
Trade relations between Washington and Pretoria have become
increasingly strained with repeated tensions over trade and
foreign policy in recent years, including disagreements over
tariffs, South Africa’s domestic policies and differing
positions on several conflicts, including the war in Gaza.
South Africa has long benefited from duty-free access to the
U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a
trade program that has supported billions of dollars in exports
from sub-Saharan Africa. The program is due to expire unless
renewed by the U.S. Congress.
South Africa's Trade Minister Parks Tau said the U.S. remained
an important trading partner, adding that the government would
continue to engage with Washington on the probe and other
issues, such as the existing U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum,
and automobiles.
After the hearing, the U.S. trade office gave time for
additional submissions by Thursday, before it was to make a
decision.
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