US Lawmakers Urge Punishment for South Africa's Alleged Support of Russia

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has called on the Biden Administration to punish South Africa for allegedly supporting Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine by relocating an important trade meeting to another country. The lawmakers also questioned South Africa's eligibility to receive trade benefits from the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. South Africa's exports to the US through AGOA were estimated at $3 billion last year. South Africa's government says it has adopted a non-aligned stance on the war in Ukraine, but the US has viewed some of its recent actions as actively favoring Russia.