Enhancing Global Trade Cooperation Amid Rising Protectionism: Can South-South Cooperation Be the Answer?

Credit: Getty, Yaorusheng
Credit: Getty, Yaorusheng

Join SAIIA and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa for a dialogue analysing South-South Cooperation within the context of an evolving global trade environment.

During the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping acknowledged the necessity to mitigate the trade deficit faced by South Africa, specific measures to achieve this diversification were not detailed in the public statements. Nonetheless, the two leaders’ sentiments reflect belief in the importance of increasing trade and economic cooperation between African countries, China and the rest of the Global South.

Fast-forward to 2025, the global trade landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, marked by a discernible shift away from the traditional multilateral system towards protectionist and tariff-driven policies. This disruption carries substantial geopolitical implications, fostering an environment of heightened uncertainty. Countries are responding in varied ways to the current volatility in the global trading system. While many have adopted retaliatory measures, few have engaged in strategic dialogue with like-minded partners to assess the shifting landscape and identify pathways for advancing both regional and global trade. Against this backdrop, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa are convening this policy dialogue with the following objectives:

  • To assess the impact of global protectionist and tariff-driven policies on trade in the Global South.
  • To explore mutually beneficial strategies for Africa and China to navigate and adapt to the evolving global trade landscape.
  • To identify opportunities for enhancing investment, value addition, and trade diversification within Africa.
  • To explore the role of the Global South in upholding and shaping the evolving international trade order under WTO rules.

Speaker

  • H.E. Wu Peng – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa

In-person attendance is by invitation only while virtual participation via Zoom is open to all. Please contact Laura.Rubidge@saiia.org.za for enquiries.

We look forward to your attendance and participation.

25 Aug 2025