South African products exported to the US will face a 30% tariff from 7 August, President Donald Trump has announced.
South Africa is the only country from sub-Saharan Africa singled out in the announcement, reflecting Trump’s strained relationship with Cyril Ramaphosa’s government.
Other African nations, including Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days.
The decision is a huge blow to South Africa, as the US is its second-biggest trading partner.
South Africa’s automobile, farming and textile sectors had enjoyed duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
Ahead of Trump’s 1 August deadline, South Africa had been trying to agree a trade deal with the US, which included buying US liquefied natural gas, simplifying rules for US poultry imports and investing $3.3bn (£2.5bn) in US industries like mining, according to Reuters new agency.
Trump argues that introducing tariffs will protect American businesses from foreign competition and also boost domestic manufacturing and jobs.
Reacting to the news, South African President Ramaphosa said his administration would “continue negotiating with the US” and had “submitted a framework deal” to its US counterpart.
“In the meantime, government is finalising a package to support companies that are vulnerable to the reciprocal tariffs.”
US-South Africa relations have hit rock-bottom since Trump took office in January.
The US president has stopped all aid to South Africa, accusing it of discriminating against the white minority. South Africa has repeatedly denied this.
Ramaphosa held talks with Trump in May in a bid to mend relations but this failed to make any headway.
Earlier this week, Trump indicated he would “maybe send someone else” to the G20 Leaders Summit taking place later this year in Johannesburg.
“I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies,” he told reporters.
[BBC]