(3 Minutes Read)
The US is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner (7.5 per cent of total exports), with China second at 11 per cent and the European Union the largest at 17 per cent.
Simphiwe Hamilton, Director-General of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, said that the 30 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States could put tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
He said that it will affect all the sectors of the economy, from automotive to agriculture. More than 30,000 jobs will be affected by the US increase in tariffs, he added. Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order placing new tariff rates on dozens of countries, hours before the 1 August deadline he had set for deals to be made.
While some countries received modified tariff rates, South Africa’s remained at the 30 per cent previously proposed, putting it in the top five highest levies imposed by Trump on any nation.
The US is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner (7.5 per cent of total exports), with China second at 11 per cent and the European Union the largest at 17 per cent. South Africa’s agricultural and automotive industries are expected to be among the hardest hits. Meanwhile, the South African government is in the process of drafting measures to support exporters hit by the new levy.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/south-africa-still-trying-to-negotiate-a-trade-deal-with-u-s/
It said there will be a multilateral response to the tariffs, including ongoing diplomatic talks with Washington, outreach to other trading partners, and measures to support local businesses. The tariffs will come into effect on 8 August 2025
