SA says reset in bilateral ties with US unavoidable as trade deal talks continue
The country is among more than 180 countries in the final stretch of negotiations with the US ahead of the 1 August deadline to impose higher import tariffs on trade partners.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Compeition, Parks Tau. Photo: DTIC
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa said a reset in bilateral ties between Pretoria and Washington is unavoidable as talks on a trade deal continue, while the window to finalise favourable terms narrows.
The country is among more than 180 countries in the final stretch of negotiations with the United States (US) ahead of the 1 August deadline to impose higher import tariffs on trade partners.
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Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau said South Africa remains committed to a conclusion on the US trade deal tabled during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the White House in May.
South Africa has stuck to its decision not to retaliate against the reciprocal tariffs first announced by the US earlier in 2025.
The government also said it has no intention of decoupling from the US.
Tau said negotiations remain the best tool to deal with the issues on the table.
Part of SA’s proposal is the exemption of specific sectors from reciprocal tariffs to preserve supply chains, including counter-seasonal agriculture trade and exports from small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) of less than $1 million per annum.
Tau said South Africa has also committed to investing $3.3 billion in US industries, such as mining and metals recycling, while both governments agreed to pursue joint investment in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and agrimachinery.
“Our deal featured a number of areas, including and not limited to 1, Importing 75–100 petajoules of liquified natural gas for a 10-year period, unlocking $12 billion; 2, Agricultural market access by simplifying of US poultry exports under the 2016 tariff rate quota and unlock approximately $91 million in trade. In addition, readiness to open market access for blueberries subject to necessary protocols.”
Despite the challenges that have been presented by this period, Tau said the country has dug deep to ensure it’s adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios when the 1 August deadline hits.