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US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) says they are seeking clarity on the calculations used and companies that are going to be affected by the imposed US tariffs.
Last night, US President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on all South African imports to the US.
Trump’s reciprocal tariffs announcement
SACCI says it’s not clear how the US arrived at the 60% duties that they allege South Africa is imposing on US goods into the country.
The organisation’s President Mtho Xulu says they are studying the implications of the tariffs on local companies.
“The tariffs that were announced for South Africa, we don’t actually have a clear calculation about how they were arrived at it. South Africa has never had a position of punishing American goods on tariffs, yet the narrative is that we are also on a reciprocal tariff. We need to understand which goods are going to be affected to what extent, as each sector has a different relationship with America. So, we’ll be sourcing our members to give us a view about exactly what impact is going to have to fund their businesses but also the regulators to bring up the facts about exactly how much or how we charge America tariffs.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Zane Dangor says a decision by Trump to impose tariffs on South Africa should be seen on the context of the approach the US is taking globally on the issue of trade.
Dangor says this should not be about South Africa as many countries including some in Africa are affected.
Dangor spoke to the SABC on the margins of the virtual G20 Sherpa meeting.
“The approach by the US administration on the issues of trade is a global one. The domestic issues was one we discussed. We spent some time clarifying and explaining. It was the first time that we met with the senior officials both in the State Department and the National Security Council.”
The DG of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Zane Dangor on SA-US relations. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/GtzsIsZ6Np
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) April 3, 2025
