South Africa's trade relations
SA participates in a number of preferential trade relationships. A founding member of GATT and an active member of the WTO, the country is committed to bringing down trade barriers and increasing its global competitiveness.
South African trade with Africa
SA's global economic strategy can be viewed through the lens of a reinvigorated Africa.
South African trade with Europe
Europe accounts for almost half of South Africa's total foreign trade. A recently concluded EU-SA trade agreement will remove 90% of all trade barriers over the next decade.
South African trade with Asia
Japan is SA's fourth-largest trade partner. Trade with China has also grown since formal ties were established, while in South East Asia SA's strongest ties are with Malaysia.
SA trade with the Middle East
The Middle East is becoming an important trade zone for South Africa, with great potential both as an export market and as a source of foreign direct investment.
SA trade with North America
South Africa's relationship with the United States - SA's biggest single trading partner - has been growing since 1994, and was boosted recently by the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
SA trade with South America
Although South African trade with Latin America is relatively small, trade between SA and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) has grown significantly since 1994, and is expected to grow still further.
