The Republican nominee, Donald Trump has sensationally won the White House as the next President of the United States of America and democratically elected Leader of the Free World. But what, if anything, does this mean for South Africa?
US Consul General of the United States in South Africa, Teddy Taylor recently advised that there is no reason to expect any changes in the US’ relationship with Southern Africa.“People change, but our institutions remain the same. Our institutions will survive the results of the elections,”said Taylor. According to Taylor, US foreign policy is (currently) geared to strengthen governance and institutions of governance to enhance trade and create jobs
A key question would therefore be the extent to which Obama’s successor will deviate from the present trajectory of US foreign policy.
In this regard, the economic policy which has strongly been advocated by President-Elect Donald Trump to date, has been very isolationist. During his campaign, Trump indicated multiple times that should he win, harsher trade restrictions will be put in place with emerging markets such as Mexico and China – thereby creating more job opportunities for Americans.
In addition, on the topic of South Africa, Trump stated during his campaign:“South Africa is a total and very dangerous mess”. Trump also expressed his views on South Africa upon the passing of former-president Nelson Mandela: “I really like Nelson Mandela but South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode – not a good situation for the people”.Trump has also during his campaign been less engaged on international trade, foreign aid and providing multilateral solutions to international problems such as climate change. It is therefore likely that Trump will be loathe to engage with South Africa during his tenure as President.
What would this mean for South Africa? The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a United States Trade Act, enacted on 18 May 2000. This Act seeks to provide assistance to African economies and to facilitate bilateral trade between Africa and the US through the provision of, for example, tax free exports from African countries to the US.
As one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, trade with the US amounted to US$12.7 billion in income for South Africa in 2015. South African exports to the US were valued at US$896 million for the year to date, in June 2016. The AGOA has also since its inception created 60 000 jobs for South Africans in the labour-intensive agriculture and automotive industries. The AGOA Act has since been renewed to 2025. However, negotiations regarding the renewal of the Act are set to take place during Trump’s tenure as President. In view of the above, it is at this stage uncertain which position Trump will take in relation to the renewal of this Act.
In addition, in terms of the role of US banks in project and trade finance, short term financing and the like, South Africa has the largest exposure of any country within the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region at 43% of our Growth Domestic Product (GDP). Uncertainty regarding the stance that Trump will take in relation to the emerging economies such as South Africa is likely to mean that foreign investment will move to safe-haven markets or markets with minimal (or beneficial) exposure to the USA such as Russia and Hungary. This may therefore result in a direct decline in foreign investment into South Africa.
Historically, during a period of economic uncertainty and periods where business opportunities are less certain, companies reduce their investments which are longer term and where returns are uncertain such as investments in innovation. Some smaller enterprises and new entrants to a market may actively increase their innovation expenditure during such a period in an attempt to “swim against the current” and capitalize on the stance taken by their more conservative competitors.
In an emerging economy such as South Africa we need to remain focussed to ensure that our companies and our country remains globally relevant during an economic downturn. The only way in which we can do so is to continue to actively invest in the development of new technology and ideas, especially where the potential market spans beyond the borders of South Africa. This can only be done by maintaining investment in the R&D and innovation processes during tough economic times.
Globally, we are moving towards a “knowledge-based economy” and South Africa cannot afford to fall behind in this regard. The short-term impact of Trump’s election as the next President of the United States may hold less than ideal consequences for the fledgling South African economy. However, it is up to South African businesses to ensure that we remain ahead of the game and remain competitive internationally in the longer term.
