SA continues trade talks with US after Washington imposed30% duty on exports

Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said negotiations with the United States (US) for a better trade deal are continuing, more than a month after Washington imposed a 30% duty on exports from South Africa.

Trade officials from both countries recently met again to carve out a revised deal that could potentially lower the punitive levy.

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South Africa first tabled an offer in May, followed by a first revision in August, ahead of the US implementation of higher tariffs.

Only parts of the deal being negotiated have been made public. These include a $3.3 billion investment tag into US industries such as mining and metals recycling, as well as a review of regulations on poultry, pork, and blueberry imports from the US.

Speaking on the sidelines of a G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Gqeberha on Friday Godlimpi told the media that talks are ongoing.

“It wouldn’t be a negotiation if there was a date for an agreement,” Godlimpi said.

“It’s the art of negotiating a deal that you never know when an agreement is going to come, but the important part is that the exchange is regular, the exchange is happening.

“When someone says the US has submitted an offer or South Africa has submitted an offer, it doesn’t mean if it comes in today, you will have a response by tomorrow. You need to make sure the terms are agreed to by everyone and they reflect everyone’s interests on what progress should look like.”