Lamola: Conflicting messages from SA frustrated govt's tariff negotiations with US
This comes as Preteoria makes another attempt to re-negotiate economic and bilateral ties ahead of the implementation of sweeping tariffs by US President Donald Trump.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola addressed a joint media briefing with the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition in Germiston on South Africa's trade talks with the United States on 4 August 2025. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has admitted that conflicting messages from South Africa may have frustrated government’s ability to negotiate with the United States on tariffs in good faith.
This comes as Preteoria makes another attempt to re-negotiate economic and bilateral ties ahead of the implementation of sweeping tariffs by US President Donald Trump.
Lamola joined Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau at a joint media briefing in Germiston, east of Johannesburg, on Monday for the latest on trade talks.
"It is unfortunate that this government’s efforts in resetting the relationship with the US has been undermined by some actors within South African society."
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While he didn’t mention any parties or organisations by name, Lamola’s ire follows repeated attempts by some in the Democratic Alliance (DA), Solidarity and AfriForum to lobby the US outside of official channels.
"All of us as South Africans, regardless of our political affiliations, whether you are an opposition, NGO, GNU partner or anything – when you get out of South Africa, we all have the responsibility to protect the national interest of SA. State actors and non-state actors also have a role to protect the national interest of South Africa so that we can all preserve jobs and preserve the economy."