DA blames Trade & International Relations ministers for unfavourable trade deal with USA
The party said not having a permanent diplomat based in the US has also placed South Africa on the back foot.
Although President Cyril Ramaphosa remained optimistic today (Friday) that a more preferential trade deal can still be struck from next Thursday, South African products exported to the US will be charged a 30% tariff.
ALSO READ: Govt intervening to cushion blow of harsh US tariffs on local businesses - Ramaphosa
The DA's Toby Chance said if it's been possible for neighbouring Botswana to whittle down import tariffs from the originally planned 37% to 15%, Trade Minister Parks Tau and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola should hang their heads in shame.
Most other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries will be paying half the 30% tariff to be imposed on South Africa.
"This no-deal scenario is due to sheer negligence, failed diplomacy and ineptitude. The South African negotiators missed their first deadline to secure trade terms to the United States. And after missing the deadline, we're forced to ask for an extension."
Chance has lambasted tau for not having a contingency plan in place, saying his help desk to assist fearful exporters is laughable.
He said a further indictment of Tau's leadership is the vacancies for trade representatives in thirty countries.
Chance said the DA will continue to negotiate where it can for favourable trade relations, even if it comes under attack from the African National Congress, which has been insistent on controlling both the trade and international relations portfolios.
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