President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated SA’s foreign policy will not be swayed by external pressures even as officials warn of attempts by domestic influences to undermine the country’s standing abroad.
Ramaphosa’s call for steadfast independence follows a pointed warning from MTN chair and special envoy to the US Mcebisi Jonas who told the Sunday Times there was a campaign by “well-connected” actors within SA to portray the nation as a global outlier.
Jonas described the co-ordinated discrediting effort as the kind of “information war” that could push the country towards pariah-state status.
SA expects scrutiny from Western partners, particularly amid its nuanced positions on conflict such as in Gaza and Ukraine. Critics in Washington have targeted Pretoria’s non-aligned position even as the country deepens outreach to Brics members, Asia and Africa.
The US has raised tariffs on SA goods while SA’s Agoa eligibility faces expiry from September unless renewed. This is unlikely as the 30% tariff on SA exports nullifies the country’s preferential access to US markets under Agoa.
US tariffs on SA timeline
- Apr 2025: Trump announces 30% “reciprocal” tariff + 10% base, hitting cars, steel, wine & agri exports.
- May 2025: Ramaphosa meets Trump; proposes trade-for-energy deal. Criticised at home.
- Jul 2025: Fallout deepens — US halts aid, hikes tariffs to ~37% (temporary pause for 90 days), cuts HIV funding, expels SA ambassador.
- Aug 2025: Tariffs officially come into force (30%). SA launches support packages, export desk, and trade diversification plan.
- Ongoing: Pretoria challenges tariffs at WTO, pushes for reforms, and accelerates new trade ties in Africa, EU, Asia & Middle East.
SA says tariffs are punitive and undermine multilateral trade rules. Calls for new bilateral deal continue.
Diversification of trade partners to lessen the country’s reliance on its historical markets — including punting SA as an investment destination on the continent during last week’s Tokyo International Conference for African Development (Ticad) 9 in Tokyo around clean energy, agriculture and automotive manufacturing — is part of the strategy.
“SA will continue to engage with partners in both the Global North and Global South. Our approach is neither partisan nor beholden, but strategic,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter on Monday that talks were under way for Isuzu Motors SA to evolve its local plant into a continental assembly hub.
“Our economic diplomacy is centred on securing market access, attracting investment and promoting sustainable development. At a time when our country faces potentially high tariffs imposed by the US administration, we are continuing to put in place measures that reduce our dependence on historical markets, Ramaphosa said.
“SA continues to advocate for an international trade regime that is fair, equitable and rules-based. We are seeking a trade regime that does not render developing economies vulnerable to unilateral measures or protectionist pressures.”
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