South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed opposition to the 30% tariff imposed by the US on South African goods, calling it “unilateral” and disputing the trade data used to justify the tariffs.
US President Donald Trump announced the tariffs in a letter to Ramaphosa, citing a significant trade deficit and non-reciprocal trade relationship between the two countries.
The tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, 2025, could severely impact South Africa’s automotive, agriculture, and metals sectors.
Ramaphosa maintains that more than half of South African goods imported from the US are not taxed, with an average tariff of 7.6% on the rest, and has vowed to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve a more balanced trade relationship.
Trump, however, has left room for negotiation, stating that the tariff rate could be modified depending on the relationship between the two countries.
