Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
14 February 2025 | 15:05 CAT

Solidarity Movement representatives engage with U.S. officials in Washington to address concerns over aid cuts and trade relations, emphasizing the need for dialogue to safeguard South Africa’s economic interests.

The Solidarity Movement is set to send a delegation to Washington following an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to cut off aid to South Africa. The delegation, which includes Solidarity representatives, aims to engage with White House officials to discuss the implications of the decision and explore avenues for continued cooperation.

The move comes amid growing tensions between the two nations, with concerns over trade relations and South Africa’s domestic policies playing a key role. In an interview with Radio Islam International, Solidarity’s Jako Kleinhans emphasized the urgency of the discussions, warning that losing humanitarian aid and favourable trade agreements with the U.S. could place South Africa in a precarious economic position.

“We believe that South Africa must be much more open to negotiating with the American government to come to some kind of settlement,” said Kleinhans. “We have been engaging with the government over the last ten days on this issue, and we strongly believe that the right response is not to dismiss America’s concerns outright, but rather to engage in meaningful dialogue.”

Solidarity has maintained longstanding relations with various U.S. political figures, including members of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. Kleinhans insists that their engagement with U.S. officials has always been centered on improving trade relations rather than lobbying against South Africa. “For us, trade is key. We need to address our country’s stagnant economic growth and high unemployment rates. The best way to do that is to increase trade,” he added.

A major point of contention remains South Africa’s foreign policy stance, which the U.S. finds concerning. According to Kleinhans, negotiations are necessary to ensure that South Africa retains its economic advantages while addressing key policy differences with the U.S. “We don’t want to escalate tensions; our focus is on ensuring that South Africa does not face severe economic repercussions, including broad sanctions or increased tariffs on exports.”

With the Trump administration considering measures such as individual sanctions on South African leaders and a potential 25% tariff on exports, Solidarity’s delegation hopes to present a case for continued cooperation. “Our priority is to protect South Africa’s interests and prevent any drastic economic measures that could have long-term negative consequences,” Kleinhans concluded.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Annisa Essack and Solidarity’s Jako Kleinhans here.