G20: Morero hopes geopolitical tensions between SA, US don’t negatively affect local govt work
Johannesburg and Tshwane have been named as co-hosts in what has been dubbed U20 – the local government leg of G20.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero addressed the U20 Summit on 3 March 2025. Picture: X/CityTshwane
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said he hopes the geopolitical tensions between South Africa and the United States (US) do not negatively affect the work of local government as the city prepares to host G20 leaders during 2025.
Johannesburg and Tshwane have been named as co-hosts in what has been dubbed U20 – the local government leg of G20.
A summit is planned for later 2025 where mayors of the major G20 cities will gather to develop policy recommendations and advocate for action on climate resilience, economic recovery, and social equity.
This includes the mayors of New York, Los Angeles and Houston in the US.
During the launch of U20 in Tshwane on Monday, Morero had this to say about the growing tensions with Washington after US President Donald Trump falsely accused Pretoria of orchestrating violent land grabs against Afrikaners: “Cities in the United States which we have spoken to are led by the Democrats, which presents an interesting angle in American politics.
“They’ve always believed that they have to participate in global politics to contribute to making a better world.”
Morero added that a massive fallout between the two countries will have far-reaching implications on trade and the economy.
“We know the implication of losing AGOA [African Growth and Opportunity Act] in South Africa. It would mean losing around 60,000 jobs. So, we hope the president [Cyril Ramaphosa] and his Cabinet have been in contact with the US so that we can arrest some of those issues.”
AGOA, a US legislation established in 2000, gives 35 eligible African countries exemption from taxes on their exports to the US.
During the previous US administration led by Joe Biden, South Africa’s participation in AGOA seemed safe.
However, with the change in power, there are some concerns that US President Donald Trump could punish South Africa for some of its foreign policy by pulling Pretoria’s participation in AGOA.