South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Rejects Trump’s 30% Tariff, Calls for Fair Trade Terms
Ramaphosa condemns the tariff as “unilateral” and pledges ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure balanced trade between South Africa and the U.S.
- Ramaphosa calls Trump’s 30% tariff “unilateral” and unfair
- South Africa says over half of U.S. imports enter duty-free
- Pretoria pledges continued talks for a balanced trade deal
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a sweeping 30% tariff on all South African exports starting August 1.
Ramaphosa described the tariff as “unilateral” and “out of step with the real trade balance” between the two nations.
In a letter sent Monday, Trump justified the tariff by citing South Africa’s “persistent tariff and non-tariff barriers,” accusing Pretoria of creating a “far-from-reciprocal” trade environment. He warned the tariff rate could increase if South Africa retaliates but hinted at possible reductions if South Africa further opens its markets.
South Africa is the only sub-Saharan African country targeted in this latest wave of “reciprocal” tariffs, highlighting growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria. The U.S. is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, with key sectors like automotive, wine, and citrus heavily reliant on duty-free access through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ramaphosa emphasized that more than half of South Africa’s imports from the U.S. enter duty-free, with an average tariff of just 7.6% on the rest. He promised ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a “balanced and mutually beneficial” trade relationship.
Trump initially proposed the 30% tariff in April but delayed its implementation for 90 days to allow for negotiations. The new executive order revives the tariff threat with a firm, though negotiable, start date of August 1.
Experts warn that this tariff could deepen economic challenges for South African exporters and dampen investor confidence, just as the country works to strengthen its global trade partnerships.
