This time last week, South Africa’s trade negotiators were planning for a “worst case” of having a 10% tariff imposed on exports to the United States. Today, the 10% rate is the best it can hope for.
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday this week that South Africa would be hit with a 30% tariff on all its exports to the States from 1 August 2025.
While the Trump administration is still open to negotiation around the rate, the implementation date appears to be firm, putting South Africa on a tight deadline to clinch a better deal.
Sam Busa