SA trade negotiators continue to scramble for 11th-hour deal on US tariffs
This comes as frustration and anxiety mounts over the impact on South African exporters, who are expected to take a knock when Washington hikes tariffs on goods into the US.
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JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s trade negotiators will face another tough test this week as the country continues to scramble for an 11th-hour deal on tariffs with the United States (US).
This comes as frustration and anxiety mounts over the impact on South African exporters, who are expected to take a knock when Washington hikes tariffs on goods into the US.
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Although all of the United States' trading partners will likely be affected, South Africa is among the top 10 hardest hit countries, with a 30% duty on exports to the US set to kick in on Thursday.
Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau and Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola will give an update on their negotiations with the US on Monday and possible aid for local companies.
But some political parties and labour unions believe it’s too late to prevent the economic fallout and the looming job losses.
"Ramaphosa’s claim, ‘We will not be bullied’, made before leaving for Washington, has been repeatedly exposed as a lie. The ANC [African National Congress] protects elite interests, while sacrificing workers to tariff devastation," said president of General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) Mametlwe Sebei.
"The working class is on its own and cannot count on the ANC or its GNU [Government of National Unity] to defend them. The pathetic response of the government to this threat to jobs and industries, upon which depend entire cities, completely vindicates our position."