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Cape Town - US Vice-President Joe Biden called his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa personally regarding bilateral trade, Netwerk24 reported on Tuesday.
An official statement issued by the White House seems to indicate the continuing debacle about the import of chicken formed part of this conversation.
According to the White House statement, the two leaders discussed the vital role African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) played in growing trade between the US and Africa.
READ: Poultry industry accused of holding Agoa hostage
The US has been threatening for some time that South Africa could face exclusion from Agoa when the US decides in September which countries to include in the agreement if it does not lift the import tariff on chicken pieces. Agoa partially lifted import limits to the US from certain designated countries.
SA has been requested to sort out the problem "as soon as possible" and the two leaders apparently agreed to work closely together to solve concerns.
The US Department of Agriculture claimed last week that CEO of the SA Poultry Association Kevin Lovell is "demonising" the US poultry industry with his "protectionist rhetoric".
READ: Davies: 'Sweet spot' sought on Agoa chicken row
Lovell told Netwerk24 the US opinion on the matter is simply an opinion until a South African court or the World Health Organisation provides clarity.
He said counter-dumping measures are not protectionist, but "corrective" and "free trade cannot exist without reasonable trade".
ALSO READ: Zuma: Agoa renewal has immense benefits for SA
* For the full article and more news in Afrikaans, visit Netwerk24.co.
