The Trump administration’s imposition of a 30% tariff on SA goods comes into effect at the end of this week, with the government scheduled to announce a wide range of measures to support key sectors affected by the duties.
The US, SA’s second-largest trading partner, has failed to respond to SA trade proposals. These include new trade deals in liquified natural gas, agriculture, mining, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals, plus agri-machinery.
Instead, the US has imposed a 30% export duty on SA goods — the highest levy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The department of trade, industry & competition has set up an export support desk to assist affected companies.
Parks Tau, the department’s minister, and department of international relations & co-operation minister Ronald Lamola, are set to outline further measures during a joint media briefing on Monday.
“Our responsibility is to ensure we protect the SA economy and to mitigate, as best as possible, the impact on industries that export to the US,” the department of trade, industry & competition said in a statement.
“Government is committed to continue negotiating with the US to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial and avert a situation where SA exports become uncompetitive in the global trading market.
“To this end, we continue engaging with other countries who have been through, and those who continue to go through, this process.”
The ANC’s national executive committee meetings are set to conclude on Monday.
Issues under discussion included the state of the government of national unity, the move by the SACP to contest the 2026 local government elections alone and the state of the country’s economy.
The first two days of the meetings, which are held quarterly, were plagued by logistical issues such as venue changes and inadequate heating, leading to delays in discussions and insufficient food service arrangements.
A delegation from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will meet KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after his explosive allegations regarding the links between politicians and the criminal underworld in SA.
“The engagement also seeks to build a stronger link between legislative oversight and operational policing realities in the province,” said the NCOP.
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