US tariffs: SA's trade negotiators say talks to strike deal continue
Pretoria has until Friday at midday before the 30% duty on exports to the United States (US) takes effect.
FILE: International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola during a briefing on 12 August 2024. Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Despite appearing to have their back against the wall, South Africa's trade negotiators said talks in a bid to clinch a better deal continue.
Pretoria has until Friday at midday before the 30% duty on exports to the United States (US) takes effect.
The unilateral tariffs by the US will come despite intensified talks and attempts to sweeten the deal first tabled in Washington in May.
READ: Ramaphosa: US tariffs highlight urgent need to adapt to 'turbulent headwinds in international trade'
Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola held a joint press briefing in the east of Johannesburg on Monday.
Tau refused to play the blame game, opting instead to focus on what's described as a tough negotiating environment.
"It's a complex negotiating environment, the United States is unprecedented, and that’s the environment we’re currently in, and we’re going to have to navigate that. At this point, we are focused on the task at hand and not the blame game, we’ll leave that to others.”