TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SOUTH AFRICA

The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy, often used as a shield of protection against foreign markets, has led to huge trade distortions in developing countries. Due to international pressure, the global trading giant has had to reform its internal policy measures to ensure a level playing field for all parties concerned. However, huge disparities still exist. South Africa, the African continent’s largest economy, recently entered into a trade agreement with the European Union. The aim was to establish a free trade area over a 12-year period. The South African trade sector, largely unsupported by its government due to inadequate financial resources and policy infrastructure, now stands to compete with the European trading giant; a trading giant whose internal protectionist measures are the key to its internal market’s survival and global superpower status