S Africa confident of US trade status despite unease over foreign policy

South Africa's trade minister said on Tuesday he is confident his country will maintain preferential trade status with the US despite concerns in Washington over its foreign policy including a strong pro-Palestinian stance. Parks Tau was in Washington last week to lobby for renewal of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act and South Africa's continued participation in the programme, which provides duty-free access to the US. South Africa has come under fire by some US lawmakers for its relationship with Russia and its criticism of Israel in the Gaza conflict. It could lose eligibility for Agoa if it were determined to be undermining US foreign policy interests. "I am confident that Agoa will continue and that South Africa will stay in Agoa," Tau told a press briefing. "We will keep a close eye on the process and will continue to lobby," he said, adding that further engagements were needed even though they had received a "relatively warm reception". US trade officials said on Monday that they had positive discussions with the South African delegation.