ANC: Trump's decisions on reciprocal tariffs expected
On Thursday, Trump announced he was imposing 30% tariffs on South Africa, which will come into effect on 4 August.
And while the ANC said it's leaving it to the government to wade through the choppy economic waters, its seecretary general, Fikile Mbalula, said the matter is definitely on the agenda.
ALSO READ: DA blames Trade & International Relations ministers for unfavourable trade deal with USA
'We will, among others, discuss the implications of the tariff increase, in terms of the economic trajectory and the path forward, how it impacts our economy, and what the options [are].'
Despite concerns from some, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, Mbalula insists the City of Johannesburg is and will be ready to hold the much-anticipated G20 Summit later in 2025. He has also shared his thoughts on news from the US president that he might not make it to the country to participate in the event himself.
'They've now decided to not send the head of state of America; they decided to send somebody because South Africa will hand over to the United States with regard to the G20, our government must deal with that.'
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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ On Saturday, ANC NEC member Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told journalists that there had been a focused discussion on the US tariffs, describing it as 'spirited and robust'. Ramokgopa said the negotiations between South Africa and the US were ongoing, adding that both countries would be able to find each other. 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The US President stopped all aid to South Africa, accusing it of discriminating against its white minority. South Africa has repeatedly denied this. Ramaphosa held talks with Trump in May in a bid to mend relations but this failed to make any headway. In July, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bill to review the US-South Africa relations due to objections over its foreign policy and potentially imposing sanctions on senior ANC leaders. The bill accuses the ANC of undermining US interests by maintaining close relationships with Russia and China, which are among its allies and trading partners. It also accuses South Africa of backing Palestinian militant group Hamas in its conflict in Gaza with Israel- an accusation South Africa has denied. Last week, Trump indicated he did not plan to attend the G20 summit taking place later this year in Johannesburg. 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'No amount of public relations exercise or photo opportunities that Ramaphosa loves so much will resolve South Africa's varied problems,' he said.
