YCLSA calls for SA to stand firm against USA intimidation

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] notes the abuse of trade agreements like AGOA by the USA. It has been many years of gross abuse, in which the USA have tried to control and influence South Africa’s economic policies, foreign affairs and other SA Government positions by threatening to end AGOA. This in our view is tantamount to economic terrorism!

AGOA, as is made clear by the apparent reasoning behind the USA's threats, is not a one way deal. Indeed the USA, as an imperialist nation, portrays this AGOA as if it is a gift to South Africa, as if it is charity, when it is in fact a trade agreement through which the USA want to accommodate their economic interests.

The jobs that are threatened in one sector, are jobs protected in another. We are open to conversation and negotiation but the South African government has stood firm in their view that we are not and will not be a dumping ground for unregulated low quality chicken, beef or pork. 

Furthermore, the impact of allowing the USA to dump their produce on our markets would lead to massive job losses in our agricultural sector and would create a job and local economy crisis in SA. Clearly the USA is attempting to frustrate South Africa and trying to use AGOA to expand their own selfish interests.

The AGOA trade agreement is not worth our sovereignty, it is not worth our dignity as a nation, there are many other countries, BRICS or even the EU for example, that are willing to adhere to our reasonable standards on imports of meat. Through this latest threat the USA is further isolating itself into the political fringes of South African society and solidly affirming their anti-ANC and anti-Communist agendas. There is hype that South Africa needs the USA, in fact China is our biggest trading partner!

The USA attempts to control us, through their deals. In fact, this threat of withdrawing AGOA is a classic example of USA imperialism. The USA is losing impact internationally as BRICS and other developing countries are becoming stronger. The USA can’t be a bully forever!

The YCLSA believes that for every job lost a job is saved and in the long run an un-fair AGOA is not worth the concessions that the USA are unreasonably demanding.

We support Minister Rob Davies in his engagements and urge him, the Ministry and SA Government to stand firm in the interests of all South Africans. Further, we note the DA's opportunism in Parliament where they have been promoting the USA as the good party and Minister Davies as well as the SA government as wrong.

The DA's opportunism and unpatriotic behavior in this matter is proof that the DA does not have the interests of us South Africans or agenda of jobs and the local economy at heart. The DA's is only interested in protecting and defending big business and USA predatory capital.

Issued by YCLSA National Spokesperson Khaya Xaba, 6 November 2015