South Africa is forging new international partnerships in Southeast Asia and Türkiye as it navigates rising trade tensions with the United States.
- South Africa is establishing new international partnerships in Southeast Asia and Türkiye amidst increasing trade tensions with the United States.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Indonesia to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation, addressing shared geopolitical challenges.
- Discussions with Indonesia included boosting political and economic ties, multilateral cooperation, and deeper business relations.
- These efforts signify South Africa’s strategic pivot from traditional Western alliances to diverse global partnerships.
South Africa is taking unprecedented steps to expand its international partnerships as trade tensions with the United States intensify, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile leading high-level diplomatic and economic engagements in Southeast Asia and Türkiye.
The move marks a significant shift for a country historically reliant on Europe and the U.S., now reaching out to nations with which it previously had little or no established bilateral relationship.
Deepening Ties with Indonesia
On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with Indonesia during his first official state visit.
In Jakarta, Ramaphosa met with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and fostering business partnerships.
“During our discussions we affirmed the importance of expanding and deepening bilateral relations on both political and economic fronts through existing bilateral mechanisms,” Ramaphosa said.
He added, “We agreed on the need to increase trade between our two countries as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth,” stressing the importance of resilient and diversified economies “as we face similar geopolitical headwinds.”
The visit followed a South Africa–Indonesia Business Forum, where private sector leaders explored new commercial opportunities. Ramaphosa was accompanied by ministers responsible for international relations, defence, trade, and agriculture.
Discussions focused on cooperation in agriculture, energy, science, education, and people-to-people exchanges, including the potential for reciprocal visa-free travel.
Prabowo requested a technical team from South Africa to develop concrete programs for immediate implementation, and both leaders agreed to expedite the 2023 defence cooperation agreement.
“If possible, we have asked for a technical delegation to discuss concrete programs in key areas where we can move forward quickly,” Prabowo said.
The leaders also addressed global issues, including collaboration within BRICS, the G20, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Ramaphosa welcomed Indonesia’s BRICS accession and invited Prabowo to the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.
Reviving Strategic Ties with Türkiye
Last week, South Africa revived its strategic partnership with Türkiye by officially activating the Türkiye–South Africa Bi-National Commission, nearly twelve years after its initial agreement.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile described the move as a new chapter in political, economic, and trade relations. Discussions focused on energy, industrial cooperation, and value-added manufacturing, with an emphasis on producing goods domestically rather than exporting raw materials.
Agreements signed cover skills development, higher education collaboration, free trade zones, investment promotion, and technology transfer. The commission is expected to strengthen long-term engagement and position South Africa as a gateway for Turkish investors into African markets.
A Historic Pivot for South Africa
These diplomatic initiatives reflect South Africa’s strategic pivot from its traditional reliance on Europe and the U.S. to new, previously underdeveloped international partnerships.
Ramaphosa’s visit to Indonesia is part of a broader Southeast Asia tour, which includes upcoming stops in Vietnam and Malaysia, underscoring Pretoria’s focus on strengthening regional ties and expanding economic cooperation beyond its historical partners.
