Steenhuisen believes there's still room to negotiate with US before 30% tariff hike kicks in
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said that an agricultural attache based in Washington was already working on the trade obstacles.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen delivered his budget vote address in the Good Hope Chamber of Parliament on 8 July 2025. Picture: Parliament/Phando Jikelo
CAPE TOWN - Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen believes there's still room to negotiate with the United States before it imposes a 30% increase in import tariffs.
Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday, Steenhuisen said that South Africa's citrus industry in particular would feel the brunt of the new duty rates that President Donald Trump said on Monday would come into effect in August.
Steenhuisen said that an agricultural attache based in Washington was already working on the trade obstacles.
ALSO READ:
• Ramaphosa maintains US 30% tariff hike inaccurate representation of trade between US and SA
• Steenhuisen gravely concerned about impact of US 30% tariff import on country's exports
Minister Steenhuisen said that it would require a coordinated government effort to stave off the dire impact the US' impending duties would have on the agriculture sector, particularly for farmers who produced purely for the export market.
"South Africa’s products would become uncompetitive against other countries that would not be subject to those same tariffs."
But Steenhuisen said that all was not yet lost.
"I believe there is still room for negotiation. The fact that the deadline has been moved to the 1st of August, is to me a very clear indication that there exists opportunity for a deal to be done still between South Africa and the US."
He said it was imperative that structural reforms such as improving rail and harbour operations were expedited to increase the country’s ability to export goods to other markets.