Can we de-link from the West?

In an election year one should not pay too much attention to statements by our politicians, but the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said something at Davos last week that requires a comment. He said that developing countries must change their trade patterns to de-link from the West. He forgets one important thing - South Africa does not actually export, it is businesses in South Africa that export. This episode is supported by the Bureau of Economic Research in Stellenbosch and the NWU Business School.