-
Department Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his team in Washington, D.C., to strengthen trade ties between South Africa and the US.
Ministers Parks Tau of Trade, Industry and Competition, and John Steenhuisen of Agriculture, will address the media on the government’s response to the 30% tariff imposed by the United States on imported South African goods.
The tariffs, which took effect last week, have impacted key export sectors such as automotive and agriculture. The government says it remains committed to ongoing negotiations with the US to reach a mutually beneficial solution.
The briefing follows a discussion between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump, in which both leaders agreed their respective trade teams would continue detailed talks.
An export support desk has been established to provide regular updates and assistance to affected exporters. The US is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 7.5% of the country’s global exports.
The 30% tariff is expected to reduce South Africa’s projected economic growth to 0.3% for the year.
The tariffs imposed on SA are politically motivated:
