G20 Summit | Trade discussions with US will continue: Tau

The article is a transcript from SABC's live coverage of the concluding day of the G20 Leaders Summit hosted by South Africa in 2025, held in Johannesburg. As the summit nears its end, discussions focus on critical minerals, decent work (SDG8), artificial intelligence, satellite communications, electric vehicles, and batteries, with President Cyril Ramaphosa set to deliver the closing statement. The leaders' declaration, adopted unusually early on the first day, emphasizes sustainable growth, a rules-based international order, and multilateralism, described as a strong affirmation of global cooperation. In an interview with Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau, key points include: reaffirmation of rules-based trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO), with trade ministers tasked to implement reforms, including dispute resolution mechanisms, at the March 2026 WTO Ministerial Conference. South Africa has adopted an inclusive posture, particularly toward the United States, despite frustrations over the US's unexpected absence—initially planning Vice Presidential representation but withdrawing, with the decision announced via social media and citing unfounded claims of 'genocide' in South Africa. Bilateral trade negotiations with the US continue, focusing on trade rules and the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), unaffected by the summit's dynamics. The US absence is seen as unfortunate, hindering tough negotiations, but the summit proceeded with consensus among attending leaders, highlighting the value of in-room dialogue. South Africa views the US as a key trading partner and remains committed to engagement. Looking ahead, South Africa will hand over the G20 presidency to the US in 2026, with the UK following in 2027; implementation of summit outcomes will proceed through bilateral agreements and multilateral forums, such as the EU's €240 billion (over 240 billion rand) green trade and investment partnership, and MOUs with India and China on critical minerals to promote local beneficiation and avoid raw extraction. The successful hosting of the summit under challenging circumstances demonstrates South Africa's rebuilt governmental capacity, signaling economic recovery—evidenced by ending rampant load shedding, logistics improvements via public-private partnerships like Operation Vulindlela, and overall institutional strengthening. The coverage concludes with praise for President Ramaphosa's leadership and South Africa's showcased capabilities, underscoring the event's success in advancing global and domestic agendas.