South African foreign trade policy and economic diplomacy in an era of globalisation

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyse the relationship between foreign trade policy and economic diplomacy in an era of globalisation with specific reference to the contemporary South African situation. A brief theoretical framework of the concepts of foreign policy and diplomacy is provided. The article also covers the broad themes and problem areas relating to post-1994 South African foreign policy, particularly in terms of economic diplomacy in Africa in the context of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). South African foreign trade policy in an era of globalisation is contextualised by means of a brief comparative analysis of the EU–SA Free Trade Agreement and SADC trade integration.