Ruling ANC warns U.S. against "bullying S. Africa" amid trade row

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday it would not allow the government to be bullied by the U.S., amid a long-running row over poultry trade.

"We can't allow to be bullied, that's why many countries are looking at South-South relations and looking East because you can't use the size of your economy to squeeze small economies," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

His remarks released by the South African Broadcasting Corporation comes after the White House on Monday issued a presidential proclamation saying South Africa's trade benefits on farm produce would be suspended if U.S. poultry is not allowed into South Africa by March 15.

The office of the U.S. trade representative says if the remaining benchmark -- the entry of U.S. poultry into South Africa under the agreed-upon conditions -- is met before March 15, President Barack Obama could consider a revocation of the proclamation before suspension takes effect.

Responding to the threat, Kodwa said it is important the U.S. appreciate South Africa as a sovereign state with its own national interest.

"This calls to strengthen South-South relations and we call on our government not to be bullied and make South Africa a dumping ground," said Kodwa.

South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said last week the government had concluded negotiations with the U.S. over the trade row, thus averting sanctions by Washington.

But now the U.S. government says it is testing the system to make sure the meat will be available on store shelves in South Africa.

Given the positive end last week, the fresh deadline placed by the U.S. comes as a surprise to South Africa.

Under the deal reached, South Africa will import 65,000 tonnes of U.S. poultry a year.

With regard to pork, South Africa has agreed to permit the unrestricted importation of the shoulder cuts. It will also allow the importation of beef from the United States.

In return, South African agricultural products will continue to enjoy trade preferences for quota and duty-free entry into the U.S.

South Africa banned U.S. poultry imports in December 2014 after an outbreak of bird flu. It has also been blocking U.S. pork and beef imports citing concerns about diseases.

The March 15 deadline is the second placed on South Africa by the U.S.. In November last year, Obama set December 31 as the deadline for South Africa to conclude negotiations over the issue or face the risk of losing its preferential treatment.

South Africa exported agricultural products worth 176 million U.S. dollars to the U.S. last year, mainly citrus and wine. Endit