Steenhuisen joins SA's US delegation

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming visit to the US is expected to be a high-stakes encounter with President Donald Trump, with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen joining the delegation to help negotiate for the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

- MASHUDU SADIKE

The meeting aims to reset strained relations between the two countries and secure a favorable trade deal.

Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen, who is also the DA leader, will be joined by Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and International Relations and Minister Ronald Lamola. New special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas is also part of the team.

Steenhuisen's spokesperson Charity McCord yesterday confirmed that Ramaphosa and his delegation were already en route and would be landing in the US yesterday evening.

However McCord could not divulge what Steenhuisen's focus and interests would be.

"The minister is going in his capacity as the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development not as party leader.