Hon Deputy Speaker, Deputy Minister, we need trade to grow, to strengthen our stability and to deal with our current account deficit. Europe remains our second largest important trading partner, having been overtaken recently by Asia. Yes, we are making progress to add other partners, but we cannot replace the European market overnight. Germany is still one of our largest exporters, as well as the United Kingdom.
Europe is part of a power block in the world, but our relationship with Europe is not good. Are you not concerned that this strained relationship will eventually impact negatively on trade? Can you reassure us that the European market is important to South Africa?