South Africa will host a meeting of nations participating in the U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act in November, despite earlier calls to exclude the country from the forum due to its ties to Russia.
The announcement comes after months of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Some American lawmakers had urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to move the meeting elsewhere following allegations that South Africa supplied arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
However, a panel appointed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations found no evidence to support the claim.
The decision to hold the meeting in South Africa is seen as a sign of improving relations between the two countries. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said she looked forward to visiting South Africa in November to discuss shared priorities and deepen trade and investment relations with sub-Saharan African countries.
South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries of AGOA, with exports to the U.S. through the act estimated at $3 billion in 2022.
The meeting is expected to be attended by leaders from various countries in sub-Saharan Africa and organizations.
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