South Africa intends to forge ahead with trade deal negotiations with the United States despite the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump's administration, set to take effect in early August. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an official statement that South African representatives are ready to begin discussions at any time.
"South Africa will continue negotiations with the US regarding the 30% tariffs announced by the United States. The South African government has presented a framework agreement aimed at strengthening mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. All communication channels remain open, and our representatives are prepared to begin talks at the US's invitation," stated Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa also revealed that the government is finalizing a support package for companies affected by the US tariffs. While South Africa is prepared to negotiate to protect its interests and reduce or completely eliminate the tariffs, the country's authorities are exploring alternative markets for diversifying exports, the South African leader noted.
Speaking to journalists, Ramaphosa shared his views on why the tariffs on South African goods are higher than those from other African nations. "We have become a target because we export more than many other countries. Therefore, our task is negotiation. To negotiate with the US as forcefully and firmly as possible. This is our main goal," said the president.
The South African leader added that negotiations will only form part of the strategy to assist local businesses, with the government's focus being on developing internal support measures.
In early July, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would impose 30% tariffs on goods imported from South Africa starting August 1. In response, South African Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe declared that South Africa would seek alternative markets for the export of strategically important mineral resources if the US imposed high import tariffs. Later in the same month, the trade minister reported that the US had not responded to South Africa's draft trade agreement and had ignored several requests from South Africa.
