SOUTH Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has opposed what he calls the “unilateral” higher trade tariffs imposed on his country by the US.
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would subject imports from South Africa to a new 30% tariff from 1 August.
It is the only country from sub-Saharan Africa that Trump singled out in his announcement, reflecting his strained relationship with Ramaphosa’s government.
In a letter to Ramaphosa, Trump said South Africa’s trade relationship with the US “has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal”. In his response, Ramaphosa maintained the 30% tariff “is not an accurate representation of available trade data”.
Trump’s decision is a huge blow to South Africa. The US is its second-biggest trading partner, and South Africa’s automobile, farming and textile sectors had duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said that while Trump was not explicit, his announcement suggested the end of Agoa.
“More than ever, it highlights the need for urgent reform in South Africa so we can ensure our economy meets the requirements of our trading partners around the world,” Steenhuisen said in parliament.
Trump sent letters to South Africa and 13 other countries, informing them of his latest tariff plans.
The US president said the rates could be modified “upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country”.
“We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with South Africa, and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, trade deficits engendered by South Africa’s tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers,” Trump said in his letter.
“Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge South Africa a tariff of only 30% on any and all South African products sent to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs,” he added.
