The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply worried by the United States (US)’ President Donald Trump’s announcement of pending tariffs on South African and other nations’ exports.  This threatens thousands of South African agricultural, mining, jewellery, chemicals, auto, clothing and other manufacturing jobs amongst others.  With a 41.9% unemployment rate, we cannot afford further job losses.

We look forward to clarity from the US government on the impact of this executive order upon the African Growth and Opportunities Act that has provided tariff free access to the US market for the majority of the African continent, including South Africa.  It will be important for the US government to engage South Africa’s government to ensure the pending country eligibility and tariff review is based upon facts and takes into consideration South Africa and the continent’s severe socio-economic and developmental challenges, and how AGOA and its renewal could be utilised to support our economic development and regional integration.  The potential removal of South Africa from AGOA or even its entire scrapping would be a painful blow and threaten millions of jobs across Africa.  We hope such a move would be reconsidered by the US government and Congress.

The Federation is worried by the freeze on aid to South Africa and other nations by the US government and the impact this may have on the lives of South Africans living with HIV/AIDS.  It is critical that South Africa’s government ensure these programmes are not stopped and that funding be found, including insourcing all community health workers as per the recent court judgement won by our affiliate, NEHAWU.

COSATU is concerned by the recent tensions between the US government and South Africa.  These are worrying given our pressing unemployment rate, weak economic growth and the need to attract investment.  American investments and South African exports to the US support 500 000 South African jobs and account for 10% of our exports. 

We have full confidence in government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s steady and sober leadership during these turbulent geo-political tensions.  Whilst South Africa must aggressively seek to attract investment and boost trade, we must simultaneously safeguard our constitutional democracy and sovereignty. 

COSATU stands firmly with the President and government in defence of South Africa’s values and transformation mandate.  No country can be allowed to dictate to the people of South Africa their path.  We are a robust and noisy democracy, but we will not tolerate any attempts to intimidate us.  South Africa’s values are reflected in our foreign policy anchored upon the principles of peace and justice, solidarity and development, non-alignment and African unity.  We bear the painful scars of apartheid, colonialism and genocide and stand with all nations experiencing such tyranny, including the Palestinian people.

We will continue to support government’s efforts to develop strong relationships with all nations.  This must be accompanied by ramped up support to boost exports and diversify trade with not only key trading partners in America, Europe, China, Japan and India but in particular Southern Africa and Africa, where our destiny lays.

COSATU has over the past three years worked closely with government and Organised Business to navigate the complexities of our relations with the US, including engaging our sister labour movement, the AFL-CIO as well as the US government, Republicans and Democrats in both Houses of Congress, and the business community.  We will continue to play our part in support of government’s efforts in this regard.

We are heartened by the sense of unity shown by the overwhelming majority of South Africans across the political spectrum during this period.  We must condemn those fringe right wing elements who have chosen to peddle shameful lies in their desperation for publicity and fundraising gimmicks. History will judge them harshly.  Nor should we tolerate the spewers of hate speech on social media.  Such miscreants must be dealt with as per the Prevention and Combating of Hate Speech and Crimes Act. 

The Federation welcomes the President’s call in his 2024 Opening of Parliament Address for a National Dialogue that must play a critical role in addressing the still painful scars and divisions across society.  It is clear that the wounds of the past have not healed, and will not heal, until the dispossession of the past and the inequalities of today are addressed. 

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks(Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za