Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa

Vice President Biden spoke with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa today to discuss the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Vice President and Deputy President Ramaphosa discussed the critical role that AGOA has played in expanding U.S.-Africa trade. The Vice President reiterated the U.S. interest in renewing AGOA as soon as possible, for as long as possible, in order to continue to encourage sustainable investment and robust economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The Vice President expressed concern about barriers to market access in South Africa for certain U.S. products, and urged South Africa to address these issues as soon as possible. The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to address these concerns.