Steel crisis prompts WTO appeal & the growing influence of corporate lobbying on public policy

Steel crisis prompts WTO appeal & the growing influence of corporate lobbying on public policy

From The Money Show by Radio 702

July 17, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

The episode discusses South Africa's WTO appeal for the steel industry and the impact of corporate lobbying on public policy.

Stephen Grootes speaks to Dr Saul Levin, Executive Director at economic policy research institute, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, about South Africa’s push for a new WTO safeguard to shield the struggling steel industry from a surge of imports, as manufacturers grapple with mounting job losses, shrinking production capacity, and growing concerns over the sector’s long-term viability. In other interviews, Robyn Hugo, Director for Climate Change Engagement at Just Share talks about growing calls for greater transparency and accountability around corporate lobbying in South Africa. While lobbying is a legitimate part of the democratic process, Just Share argues that the bigger risk is "policy capture",  where well-resourced private interests quietly shape legislation to favour commercial objectives over the public interest. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors…

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