Cyril Ramaphosa says Pretoria is seeking alternative markets in China and India to cushion the potentially “devastating” impact of exclusion

South Africa must prepare for exclusion from Washington’s preferential trade program for African countries, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned amid deteriorating relations with the US.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Ramaphosa said his government is discussing South Africa’s continued participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) with Washington.

“Congress has decided that we should be kept in AGOA. What now remains is the executive,” he said. “I need, as president, to prepare us if it ever happens.”

AGOA has granted eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products since 2000. US President Donald Trump signed an extension through 2028 last month, although individual countries’ eligibility remains subject to review.…