Letter to Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, and Faizel Ismail, Ambassador for the Special Envoy for AGOA - African Growth and Opportunity Act

Letter

Dear Minister Davies and Ambassador Ismail,

As you know, the antidumping duties that South Africa has levied on American-raised poultry have been in place for 15 years, effectively blocking our companies from accessing your market and putting a strain on our nations' economic relationship. It is unfortunate that conversations over the years about removing that barrier have failed to produce a fair result. We were pleased when the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) returned to the negotiating table in January, and that preliminary offers were made between the two industries. However, we are concerned that little progress has been made to reach a solution and that formal negotiations have yet to take place. This work needs to be done urgently, before the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is reauthorized. Our support for beneficiary countries' inclusion in AGOA is, in large part, based on the degree to which they meet their international trade obligations.

We are concerned that news reports from South African media in recent weeks suggest that SAPA is drawing a hard line on its most recent offer to the U.S. industry and may not be willing to continue negotiations in good faith. This message appears to be in sharp and disappointing contrast with the South African government's approach, which has been earnest, open, and responsible.

We urge you to continue to work with SAPA and encourage its leaders to not shut the door on negotiations. We also urge you to convey to SAPA the importance of its meeting formally with the U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) in the coming weeks to continue to work on negotiations in real time. We will convey the same message to USAPEEC.

As you know, AGOA must be reauthorized before its expiration in September. Textiles manufacturers receive orders months ahead of time for production-planning purposes, so the earliest renewal possible is critical. It is likely that AGOA will come before the Senate Finance Committee in the next month, and we hope our respective industries can reach a fair compromise before that time comes.

We look forward to continuing to work with you on this important matter and appreciate your willingness, as well as that of others in your government, to reconcile this matter in good faith. We share your optimism that a fair agreement can be reached.

Sincerely,

Johnny Isakson

Chris Coons

John Boozman

Bob Casey

David Perdue

Tom Carper

Dan Coats

Mark Warner

John Cornyn

Ben Cardin

Chuck Grassley

Barbara Mikulski

Tim Kaine

Source