(MENAFN) South African Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau described his recent trip to Washington, aimed at discussing bilateral commercial relations with the US, as “constructive.”

Tau, alongside Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, traveled to the United States ahead of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), which will take place in New York over six days starting next Tuesday.

On X, Tau noted that he held productive discussions with the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, “on our way forward on SA-US Trade relations. Our teams have been in intense negotiations, and I will be briefing President [Cyril] Ramaphosa on the outcomes in due course.”

South Africa’s Embassy to the US highlighted on its X account that “Tau reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to expanding trade and investment cooperation with the US.”

A statement from the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition emphasized that the US “remains a key trade and investment partner for South Africa.” Local exports to the US reached $8.2 billion (roughly R142 billion), while over 600 US companies operate in South Africa, and 22 South African firms have a presence in America.

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