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South Africa Says U.S. Deal Reached to Save AGOA Trade Pact

Minister expects South Africa won't lose trade benefits
Agreement reached on oustanding animal-health standards

Gantry cranes sit above a container ship in the container terminal at the Port of Durban, in Durban, South Africa. — Photographer: Kevin Sutherland/Bloomberg

By

Paul Vecchiatto and

Rene Vollgraaff

January 7, 2016, 1:47 PM UTCUpdated onJanuary 7, 2016, 8:24 PM UTC

South Africa has resolved a trade dispute with the U.S. to retain duty-free access for its farming exports to the world’s biggest market.

The two sides worked out issues related to health standards on American meat exports to South Africa, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies told reporters in Pretoria on Thursday. U.S. President Barack Obama said on Nov. 6 that South Africa’s preferential access for farming exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act would be revoked in 60 days if a deal wasn’t concluded.