Donald Trump hits South Africa with 30% tariffs: 'We still have room for engagement. We haven't given up'
“A lot of bad things are happening in South Africa,” explained Donald Trump.
Donald Trump / Wikimedia Commons: Gage Skidmore
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit interviews Yamkela Fanisi, Ministerial Spokesperson for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
Listen below:
US President Donald Trump has announced a global 10% tariff on all imports, along with higher rates for several 'worst offenders', including South Africa.
He has imposed tariffs of at least 30% on all South African exports to the US.
“A lot of bad things are happening in South Africa,” Trump said. “We send them billions of dollars but we had to cut their funding because bad things are happening.”
Fanisi emphasises that the DTIC and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) 'still have room for engagement with the USA'.
"This is a space and an opportunity for us to look at enhancing our diversification strategy of also looking at investment and trade opportunities outside and elsewhere."
- Yamkela Fanisi, Ministerial Spokesperson – Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Kiewit points out that under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa), South Africa enjoys duty-free access to US markets.
He raises the question: Should South Africa and other African nations begin preparing for a future without the Agoa agreement?
Fanisi clarifies that South Africa has not halted its engagements with the US.
He expresses confidence that the DTIC could present 'a very mutually beneficial package' aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa.
"We still believe that we can still engage and make them understand the importance of this trade...We have not given up."
- Yamkela Fanisi, Ministerial Spokesperson – Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
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