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Fourteen countries, including Japan, South Korea, and South Africa, received letters on the same day detailing new, higher tariffs.
US President Donald Trump has singled out South Africa, the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa to impose additional tariffs.
The move from the White House comes as the American government announced Monday that it would be delaying the start of some of its most aggressive import tariffs, which it imposed, among others in April on nations around the world. Fourteen countries, including Japan, South Korea, and South Africa, received letters on the same day detailing new, higher tariffs.
According to a statement published by the South African presidential office, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data. In the interpretation of the available trade data, the average tariff on imported goods entering South Africa is 7.6%. Importantly, 56% of goods enter South Africa at 0% under the most favoured nation tariff, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty, the statement added.
South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, the statement from Pretoria furthermore noted.
At the same time, the presidential office urged South African companies to accelerate their diversification efforts to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy.
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Overall ties between Washington and Pretoria have experienced severe strains since Trump returned to office, with a meeting between Ramaphosa and his American counterpart in May doing little to improve the situation.
