South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concerns about the use of trade as a “weapon” and is seeking to reduce tariffs imposed by the US on imports from his country.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly and later at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Ramaphosa emphasized the need for more favorable trade terms, particularly under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free quota-free access for thousands of products from 32 African nations.
The US had imposed tariffs on imports from South Africa after Ramaphosa’s government failed to secure a trade agreement.
Ramaphosa stated, “We want tariffs that President Trump is seeking to levy on us and has already started, to be reduced.” He also highlighted the importance of continuing the AGOA treaty, which benefits South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy.
Ramaphosa’s comments reflect broader concerns about trade policy volatility and its impact on development finance.
South Africa is engaged in talks with US trade representatives to address these issues and potentially strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
