Speaker's Meeting addressed by the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa – HE Minister ROB DAVIES on “Trade Policy and Economic Growth”

Minister Rob Davies outlines South Africa's trade strategy, emphasizing the use of tariffs as a tool for industrial policy and the pursuit of regional integration through the Tripartite FTA. He expresses skepticism regarding the 2011 window for the WTO Doha Round, arguing that the 2008 text is unbalanced and fails to address agricultural distortions or the needs of emerging economies. The Minister also highlights the importance of strengthening ties with BRICS nations to move beyond exporting primary products toward mineral beneficiation and industrialization.

• South Africa utilizes tariffs as a strategic tool for industrial policy, avoiding a predetermined approach to increases or decreases. Instead, changes are determined by the International Trade Administration Commission through "independent, evidence based, case by case assessment".
• The Minister views the WTO Doha Development Agenda as potentially dead or unbalanced. He argues that the 2008 text is "unbalanced" and that the United States is unwilling to make concessions on agriculture in exchange for the industrial product commitments it demands from emerging economies.
• South Africa's historical position in the Uruguay Round, where it was treated as a developed country, resulted in bound industrial tariffs that are lower than those of other comparable emerging economies.
• The Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA) is presented as a strategic alternative to the stagnant linear approach of regional integration in Southern Africa. With 26 countries, a combined GDP of $264 billion, and a population of 500 to 700 million, it aims to broaden regional markets and address the "missing middle" of transport infrastructure.
• South Africa aims to evolve its trade relationship with BRICS nations to move away from exporting primary products and importing end products. A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China specifically focuses on industrialization and "mineral beneficiation" to increase value-add in exports.
• Regarding services trade in the Doha Round, South Africa considers services negotiations important but will not accept an unbalanced deal in manufacturing, as too many jobs are at risk. The Minister notes imbalances in "Mode 4", where developed countries restrict access for developing countries.

APA

Dube, M. (2011). Speaker's Meeting addressed by the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa – HE Minister ROB DAVIES on “Trade Policy and Economic Growth”. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/edip_report_rob_davies_trade_201104.pdf

Chicago

Dube, Memory. Speaker's Meeting addressed by the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa – HE Minister ROB DAVIES on “Trade Policy and Economic Growth”. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2011. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/edip_report_rob_davies_trade_201104.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dube |first1=Memory |title=Speaker's Meeting addressed by the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa – HE Minister ROB DAVIES on “Trade Policy and Economic Growth” |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=4 April 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/edip_report_rob_davies_trade_201104.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dube2011speakers, author = {Dube, Memory}, title = {{Speaker's Meeting addressed by the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa – HE Minister ROB DAVIES on “Trade Policy and Economic Growth”}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/edip_report_rob_davies_trade_201104.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }