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Jevans Nyabiage

South Africa is looking to new export markets in Asia – particularly China – and Europe to diversify away from the United States, as its relations with Washington rapidly deteriorate.
America boycotted last weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg after Washington accused Pretoria of persecuting Afrikaner farmers, labelling the situation “white genocide” – a claim the South African government strongly denies.
On Wednesday the situation escalated, with US President Donald Trump saying Pretoria would not be invited to next year’s G20 talks in Miami. South Africa called the move “regrettable” and based on “misinformation and distortions” and said it had a right to attend as a sovereign, founding member of the G20.
It comes two months after a US trade initiative with Africa – the African Growth and Opportunity Act – expired, ending duty-free access for many South African exports.
In addition, a 30 per cent tariff imposed on South African exports by the US has meanwhile severely hurt farms, vehicle manufacturers and car parts makers, as well as mining companies.

South Africa is responding by pursuing new markets in Asia and Europe to diversify exports and attract investment.
According to analysts, the pivot can be seen in South Africa’s diplomatic activities in countries like China, Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as in the European Union, with efforts under way to secure investment and new market access for South African goods, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture.
The analysts said China was emerging as the main beneficiary as it stood to deepen economic and political ties with South Africa, while the US was at risk of ceding influence across the African continent.
Tim Zajontz, interim professor in International Relations at the University of Freiburg, said the South African government was seeking to further diversify its political and economic ties.
Pretoria aimed to redirect some of its exports – especially car parts, other manufactured goods and agricultural produce – to other destinations through a combination of subsidies, trade facilitation measures and economic diplomacy, according to Zajontz.
He said the efforts were being directed towards Europe, the Gulf states and various Asian and Latin American countries.
“The estrangement from the US will further intensify economic and political cooperation between South Africa and China,” Zajontz added.
To cultivate new economic allies in Asia, a South African delegation has visited China, Vietnam and Indonesia. President Cyril Ramaphosa also took part in the EU’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels in October and recently visited Ireland and Switzerland in pursuit of investors and new markets.
Chrispin Phiri, spokesman for South Africa’s international relations minister, confirmed the nation was intensifying efforts to diversify its markets.
He acknowledged that the US was a substantial market for South Africa but said it was “determined to pursue economic diplomacy in earnest” in a bid to ramp up trade with other places.
One of those is China. During a meeting with South African leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Beijing was willing to align development strategies, accelerate zero-tariff measures, and deepen cooperation in sectors like mining, infrastructure, cars and new energy.
He also pledged to deepen political mutual trust, firmly support South Africa’s core interests, and strengthen cooperation within platforms like Brics and the G20.

Zajontz, who is also a research fellow with the Centre for International and Comparative Politics at Stellenbosch University, said that in contrast with the US, China was opening its vast market to African goods and services.
“We are also going to see additional Chinese investments in South Africa’s automotive industry as well as in transport, energy and digital infrastructure,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership signed between South Africa and Europe secures new market access and significant investment for South Africa’s green economy transition. The deal focuses on promoting battery manufacturing and facilitating South Africa’s export of electric vehicles to the EU market.
South Africa’s strained US relations are part of a broader pattern. Ties with Nigeria were similarly frayed after Trump threatened military action over what he claimed was the government’s failure to prevent widespread killings of Christians – allegations Abuja rejected.
According to John Calabrese, a non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, Washington’s absence from the G20 allowed Beijing to project itself as a reliable partner, strengthen economic ties and reinforce its narrative as Africa’s “go-to ally”.
He said the move reinforced incentives for African nations to lean into Brics and Chinese investment and signalled that US support was neither automatic nor guaranteed.
Calabrese said the move was shortsighted and risked the erosion of American influence while reinforcing China’s foothold in Africa.
China has gained influence by providing needed infrastructure across the continent, according to Professor John Kirton, director of the G20 Research Group at the University of Toronto.
“[For supply chains] you really need ports and railroads – and Africa needs a lot more of that still,” he added.


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China-Africa relations

China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

Pretoria is trying to secure investment and new market access for South African goods, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

Washington boycotted last weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg. Photo: Kyodo

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg on November 21. Photo: Xinhua

G20 South Africa summit sees China, allies drive agenda as US stays away

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged the G20 community to speed up the reform of global financial institutions, and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for debt relief for developing countries while rejecting “unilateralism and protectionism”. Photo: Handout

G20 leaders hold hands as they pose for a “family photo” in Johannesburg on November 22. Photo: AFP

Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement, citing policy differences

A G20 summit sign is seen at Johannesburg Expo Centre on Monday. Photo: EPA

A banner of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (left), who is also the president of the G20, is displayed on a pillar of a highway overpass in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP

Trump barring South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Miami

A protester wears a Trump mask, as Oxfam activists demanding the taxing of the super-rich in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday, the opening day of the G20 leaders’ summit. Photo: Reuters

The next G20 summit is scheduled to take place at the Trump National Doral Miami golf resort in Florida. Photo: AFP

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb (right) speaks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the G7++ meeting at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday. Photo: AFP

European Council President Antonio Costa during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, following their talks in Johannesburg, on Thursday. Photo: dpa

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As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe


As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe.


China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe

As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe