Solidarity (part of the broader Solidarity Movement) sent urgent letters to the leaders of the FF Plus (Corné Mulder) and the Democratic Alliance (DA, Geordin Hill-Lewis). It called on both parties—which together draw significant support from Solidarity’s members—to invoke the GNU’s internal dispute-resolution processes over what it describes as the government’s “reckless foreign policy.” Solidarity argues this approach risks South Africa’s exclusion from AGOA, with a White House decision expected on or before 1 November 2026.
Solidarity estimates that more than 500,000 South African jobs depend on trade with the US, of which roughly 250,000 are linked to AGOA benefits (duty-free access for certain products, important for sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and metals). The union has previously blamed Lamola specifically for aggravating tensions—citing his US visit, public statements (including warnings to “prepare for the worst”), and the repeated summoning/demarching of US Ambassador Leo Bozell over alleged undiplomatic remarks.
The FF Plus responded by formally declaring a dispute in the GNU. It is demanding an urgent, coordinated government plan to retain AGOA benefits and requiring Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau (Trade, Industry and Competition) to report to GNU parties on the status of US negotiations and concrete steps to address outstanding American concerns.
Differing responses within the GNU
The DA took a different path. Hill-Lewis rejected relying primarily on the clearing-house process, describing it (based on the party’s experience) as cumbersome and too slow given the tight timeline. He said any formal dispute would first need to arise at Cabinet level. Instead, the DA is:
- Raising the issue formally in Cabinet (with Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp tasked to do so and arrange urgent US engagement).
- Continuing direct engagement with US officials (including prior travel by party representatives).
- Having Hill-Lewis personally raise the matter with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- Exploring provincial/municipal-level advocacy options consistent with federalist principles to protect preferential trade access for businesses and farmers.
The GNU clearing-house mechanism (chaired by the Deputy President, with the Presidency as secretariat) was established after the 2024 elections to manage policy disagreements among the multi-party coalition without overriding Cabinet. It is intended to build common understanding among the signatories (ANC, DA, FF Plus, IFP, and others). Past public clashes between FF Plus and the ANC over US relations (including earlier criticism of summoning the US ambassador) had already prompted suggestions that such matters belong in the clearing house rather than public forums.
Broader context of SA–US tensions
Relations have deteriorated amid US concerns under the Trump administration about South African policies, including the Expropriation Act, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)/race-based measures, the “Kill the Boer” chant and hate-speech issues, farm murders/security, and aspects of foreign policy (e.g., positions on Israel, Iran, and alignment perceptions). Groups including Solidarity, AfriForum, the FF Plus, and others have engaged US officials and lawmakers directly, sometimes proposing frameworks or highlighting these issues; the South African government has characterised some of this advocacy as divisive, anti-democratic, or based on misinformation, while defending its policies as sovereign redress measures.
Lamola and DIRCO have defended a firm diplomatic stance (including the demarches of the ambassador) and emphasised national interest and non-interference. Critics from Solidarity and some GNU partners argue that the approach has alienated Washington, limited constructive engagement, and prioritised ideological or party positions over jobs and economic stability.
Implications
This episode highlights internal strains in the GNU over foreign and economic policy at a moment of acute trade risk. An adverse AGOA decision would hit export-oriented industries and employment hard in a high-unemployment economy. Solidarity has welcomed the FF Plus step as a signal that the ANC’s handling does not command full GNU support and plans its own further White House and Washington engagements aimed at protecting AGOA access. Whether the clearing-house referral produces faster concrete action, or whether Cabinet-level and bilateral efforts prove more effective, remains to be seen in the short window before the expected US decision.
The News24 report (15 October 2026) that matches the query headline focuses on the FF Plus referral at Solidarity’s behest; complementary reporting from Business Day and Solidarity’s own statement provide the fuller picture of the parallel DA response and underlying economic stakes.
