Trump Oval Office encounter: Cosatu president Losi's first-hand account

Zingiswa Losi, president of COSATU, reflects on her landmark visit to the White House, where she defended South Africa’s labour voice and addressed US trade tensions. In this powerful interview, she discusses AGOA, the threat of tariffs, and the critical need for unity between business, labour, and government to protect jobs and reset diplomatic relations..Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..Watch here.Listen here.BizNews Reporter .In a wide-ranging interview with BizNews, Zingiswa Losi, president of COSATU, reflected on her recent visit to the United States, where she represented South African labour interests in high-level discussions, including a landmark meeting at the White House. Her visit formed part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation, aimed at resetting diplomatic and trade relations between South Africa and the United States amid growing tensions.Losi described her participation in the Oval Office meeting as both humbling and historic, despite last-minute complications. “I flew 18 hours to speak on behalf of the millions of workers in this country,” she said, recounting how she firmly resisted attempts to exclude her from the reduced delegation. Her persistence paid off. “I found my name at the Oval Office, not as security or administration, but as a delegate.”Once inside, she was unexpectedly invited to speak - an opportunity she used to address key misconceptions. Responding to narratives of “white genocide” in South Africa, she challenged the racial framing of crime in the country. “South Africa does not have a race issue. We have a crime issue,” she stated, highlighting the high levels of violent crime that affect all South Africans, particularly poor and rural women.While her remarks drew both praise and criticism, Losi stood by her comments. “It had to be said. You cannot talk about violence selectively,” she affirmed, noting that speaking honestly was essential in countering distorted perceptions abroad.Behind closed doors, Losi said the tone of the meeting shifted dramatically. The initial formalities gave way to more cordial, constructive discussions. Former President Donald Trump, known for his unpredictability, even initiated a light-hearted conversation about golf before delving into serious matters. According to Losi, the US acknowledged South Africa's critical strategic importance as the most industrialised nation on the continent and a gateway to Africa.A key focus of the engagement was the looming imposition of 30% tariffs on South African exports, which the Trump administration had threatened to implement by 1 August. Losi voiced strong concerns about the potentially devastating impact on vital sectors such as automotive, agriculture, chemicals, and textiles - many of which fall under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).“These aren’t just numbers,” she stressed. “We’re talking about real people, breadwinners, and families who will be affected.” She highlighted Goodyear’s 900 at-risk jobs in the Eastern Cape and the production pause at Mercedes-Benz as tangible signs of strain.Losi urged both US and South African stakeholders to recognise the broader implications. “Trade is not just beneficial to us - it’s a win-win for both nations,” she said. With US pension funds invested in South African industries, job losses on one side of the globe could ripple across the Atlantic. She called for solidarity among workers and businesses in both countries to preserve and strengthen trade ties.Back home, Losi said organised labour and business leaders are not sitting idly. Through platforms like the Millennium Labour Council, they’re working together to identify bottlenecks and strategise meaningful interventions. “We don’t have time to point fingers,” she insisted. “If we don’t work together - business, labour, and government - we all lose.”As the AGOA renewal deadline looms, Losi emphasised the urgency for unity, collaboration, and decisive action. “South Africa must live up to its role as the gateway to Africa - not just in words, but in actions.”

Trump Oval Office encounter: Cosatu president Losi's first-hand account

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