Ramaphosa dismisses Malema's suggestions that SA grovelling to US to reduce tariffs

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed suggestions from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema that government was grovelling to the United States to reduce the 30% trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. 

Ramaphosa said that rather than adopt a retaliatory approach, government believed that a strategy of engagement was best.

Answering a question from Malema in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, Ramaphosa said that his ministers were scouring the world to secure alternative export markets.

Labelling the US trade tariffs as senseless, Malema has also slammed government’s approach on the matter, saying it had been one of appeasement and begging.

But President Ramaphosa said a government team was currently feverishly working the ground in the US in preparation for the next round of negotiations, which were imminent.

"Without being supplicant, without going on bended knee, which we have never done, and which we will never do, we will stand as a sovereign country and get the best deal for South Africa."

Ramaphosa said that to adopt a retaliatory approach, as suggested by Malema, could backfire.

"If one wants to play to the gallery, one could embark on the type of option that honourable Malema is talking about without knowing what outcome that option will have."

Ramaphosa said that government was expanding its export potential to include more markets in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.