ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says South Africa should intensify trade relations with other nations following continued criticism from the United States.
Mbalula was responding to comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently criticized South Africa’s policies. Rubio stated that post-Mandela governments have pursued redistributionist policies that discourage investment and that racial quotas have harmed the private sector.
The U.S. has also reportedly rejected South Africa’s participation in next year’s G20 Summit in Miami, suggesting Poland could take its place.
Speaking at an ANC conference in Johannesburg, Mbalula described the U.S. actions as aggression and an attack on South Africa’s sovereignty. He compared the situation to the long-standing sanctions against Cuba.
Mbalula emphasized that South Africa is not an extension of Washington and will not abandon its principles. He stated the country will pursue its foreign policy of multilateralism and peace while strengthening trade with other partners.
