The Committee welcomes the Minister's commitment to trade policy in South Africa. He indicated that South Africa must improve trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA) by consolidating trade and investment agreements in a manner that would benefit the country. The assessment of trade agreements must be done within the context of the current global economic climate. Currently, there is an opportunity to chart a new course for trade negotiations, shaping new engagements in trade relations that could potentially be more beneficial to South Africa. South Africa should play a leading role among developing countries during negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and should not respond reactively to demands that arise from these negotiations and agreements.