How Africa can foster sustainable diplomacy amid trade tensions

THE abrupt exit of Donald Trump from the G7 Summit in Canada, without having side meetings with Global South leaders from South Africa, India et al, and this week’s Nato Summit where core nations committed to a 5% of GDP spending on Defence amid Trump tariffs has cemented ‘nationalism as the new normal.’

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Meanwhile, 9 July is a key date when Trump tariffs kick in and will further erode African nations - who face high costs of capital and many face social conflicts amid multiple cost of living crises facing the continent. In this context, South Africa should develop a smart agile and sustainable diplomacy rooted in both national interest and continental solidarity.

Traditional blocks and alliances are no longer viable for middle powers. It is thus imperative that South Africa craft a more nuanced trade and investment-people partnership to address its sagging economy and deep-seated structural problems such as unemployment, inequality, hunger and digital deficits.

The recent announcement by China to accept duty-free access for 53 African nations is a huge boost that can promote exports and preserve jobs — but trade facilitation and meeting product standards will be crucial to leverage these opportunities. Both China and India offer a market of hundreds of millions of consumers that African exporters can tap into.

Russia and the St Petersburg Economic Forum: In early June, the deputy president attended the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Spief) in Russia’s second-largest city. This year’s forum, “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World attracted nearly 20 000 representatives from 140 countries and regions and heads of several international organisations. Russia has managed GDP growth and currency reserves despite sanctions and war and is the Gateway to Eurasia. This forum is a platform for issues ranging from accelerating digitalisation to addressing climate change and formulating specific, practical solutions that can adapt the global economy to new conditions.