Share

US embassy not spooked by land reform - Rob Davies

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has told Parliament that when his department met the United States embassy to discuss local matters, land expropriation was not the most prominent subject of discussion.

Moreover, Davies said, the potential nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) was never mentioned. 

In a written reply to questions from Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Davies said officials met with the US embassy three times between June and August to discuss bilateral trade and investment.

Democratic Alliance MP Dean Macpherson had asked Davies if the Department of Trade and Industry had met with the US embassy lately, and whether the mission expressed any concerns about recent proposed reforms.

Fresh recession

Having limped its way into a fresh technical recession, the South African economy has not been able to catch a break for most of this year.

Recently, United States President Donald Trump tweeted false information about farm killings and expropriation, which was followed by the rand falling.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) last month announced that it had proposed a bill for the nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank.

Davies said the US had not expressed undue concern about the proposed reforms regarding land and that the SARB proposals were never discussed.

Trade tariffs

However, Davies said the parties at these meetings discussed the US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US and their impact on South Africa’s African Growth and Opportunity Act benefits.

"The embassy emphasised that the US government would not be taking sides but had an interest in seeing a legal and constitutional resolution of the issue," Davies said.

Davies said the US State Department and the World Bank recognised the complexities of the land reform programme and its intention to ensure equitable distribution of land in South Africa, and thereby addressing poverty and inequality.

* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.97
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
23.98
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.51
-0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.4%
Platinum
906.75
+1.1%
Palladium
1,015.63
+1.4%
Gold
2,206.97
+0.6%
Silver
24.60
-0.2%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,261
+0.9%
All Share
74,453
+0.7%
Resource 10
56,939
+2.3%
Industrial 25
103,989
+0.7%
Financial 15
16,492
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders