US EditionTrade Tensions Rise as U.S. Targets South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA, JUL 8 – South African President Ramaphosa rejects the US tariff as inaccurate and urges swift diplomatic talks to protect key sectors supporting over 35,000 jobs, officials said.
- On July 7, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on goods imported from South Africa, which is scheduled to be implemented starting August 1.
- This tariff follows earlier U.S. reciprocal tariffs imposed in April and targets South Africa among 14 countries facing higher duties starting August 1.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the tariff, arguing it misrepresents trade statistics by highlighting that over half of products imported into South Africa face no duties, while the typical import tariff averages 7.6%.
- Ramaphosa called on businesses to accelerate diversification to strengthen resilience in global supply chains, and his government emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts and openness to negotiation.
- The tariffs threaten key sectors and export revenues, potentially causing job losses and urging economic reforms and private sector involvement to mitigate impacts.
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12 Articles
South Africa Pushes Back Against U.S. Tariffs Amid Rising Trade Tensions - teleSUR English
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly rejected the unilateral imposition of a 30% tariff on all South African exports to the United States, calling the measure inaccurate and unjustified. The tariff, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 7 and set to take effect on August 1, targets South Africa as the only sub-Saharan African nation among 14 countries facing new trade penalties. Trump ramped up the trade war by tellin…
Trade tensions rise as U.S. targets South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 30% tariff on South African goods, targeting 14 countries accused of unfair trade. Trump also threatened an additional 10% levy on nations working with BRICS. Ramaphosa calls it a misinterpretation of data. The tariffs could seriously harm South Africa’s economy, as the U.S. remains its largest trading partner.
30% on South African imports: Ramaphosa hits back at new Trump tariffs
As the only sub-Saharan country on the list of latest trade tariffs the Trump administration threatens to impose, South Africa could be hit with 30% tariffs on its exports to the US from 1 August.
How SA can soften Trump's tariff blow, according to John Steenhuisen
Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen says President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff will have devastating consequences but there are ways to ease the blow. He says the African National Congress (ANC) must acknowledge the urgent need for economic reforms to cushion the blow of potential job losses resulting from the tariffs. According to Steenhuisen, billions of rands in export revenue could be lost, crippling key sectors of the econ…
Stuurman: Trump's Tariffs Impact Won’t Be Easily Undone
As President Trump's reciprocal tariff deadline looms, its impact is still unknown in Africa, as no country has finalized a trade deal with the US. Ziyanda Stuurman, Advisor at Africa Practice spoke to Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the impact of tariffs. (Source: Bloomberg)
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