A bipartisan group of American lawmakers has asked the Biden administration to punish South Africa for what they see as the country’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine by moving a major trade conference scheduled to be held in South Africa this year to another country.
The letter, obtained by The New York Times, centers on an annual forum for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA.
South Africa, one of the continent’s most developed economies, is its biggest beneficiary, exporting about $3 billion worth of goods to the United States through AGOA last year.
U.S. officials have said intelligence suggests that South Africa may have helped supply Russia with arms for the war.
South African officials say the country is “nonaligned” on the conflict, and deny selling weapons to Russia.
Persons:
Biden
Organizations:
The New York Times
Locations:
South Africa, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, United States, AGOA, Africa