United States-South African trade under Trump (2017-2021) Growth against all political odds

Abstract

This article examines the pattern of two-way trade between the United States of America (US) and South Africa under the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States (2017 to 2021). Findings show that despite a politically frayed period with little diplomatic contact and political warmth, the countries saw continued growth in two-way trade in three of the four years under study, with year-on-year trade growth continuing even during the Covid-19 period. Moreover, the balance of trade favoured South Africa. The study also used trade data and interviews to compare US-South African trade relations during President Barack Obama’s second term and President Trump’s first. It was found that the 2012-2016 period showed a decline in two-way trade every year. Insight gained from several interviews conducted provided causal explanations for what may be termed a politically cold but economically hot relationship between South Africa and the US under President Trump.