Ramokgopa says US tariffs are not linked to South Africa's transformative policies
Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa spoke to journalists following deliberations by the ANC's national executive committee on issues pertaining to the country's economy in Germiston on Saturday.
Ramokgopa has poured cold water over criticism that U.S. President Donald Trump's retaliatory tariffs might be linked to transformative policies being championed by the ANC in government.
He says the tariffs aren't targeted at just South Africa.
'Over 90 countries are experiencing US tariff imposition, so South Africa is not isolated as a result, as some may argue, of our policies like BEE and expropriation. Some of them are historic and close allies to the US. So, we don't feel isolated,' said Ramokgopa.
He says the ANC believes the government must do everything possible to preserve its relationship with the United States.
America is South Africa's second-largest trade partner, and while attempts have been made—including an official visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to put together a trade deal—the Americans have been non-responsive.
Despite this, Ramokgopa says the channels of communication remain open.
'We presented before them; Minister Tau, in his official capacity, continues to engage. We are still to receive a response, so the rate at which we are able to resolve this is also a function of the response we are getting from the counterparty," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on August 6, 2025
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party might have reached a point where it was no longer able to persuade the South African Communist Party (SACP) to abandon its decision to contest the elections. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Wednesday, August 6, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. What does the SACP's independence mean for the ANC's election future? ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party might have reached a point where it was no longer able to persuade the South African Communist Party (SACP) to abandon its decision to contest the elections. To read on, click here. A closer look at Tebogo Malaka, the suspended IDT CEO facing bribery allegations Who is Tebogo Malaka, the suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), who allegedly tried to bribe a journalist? To read on, click here. SANDF warns troops: No explicit content in uniform on social media The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has issued a stern warning to its members regarding the inappropriate use of their military uniform in conjunction with explicit content on personal social media platforms. To read on, click here. Police intercept Eswatini dagga smuggler in R4 million Dundee drug bust A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, after police found 90 bags of compressed dagga with an estimated street value of R4 million in his vehicle on Tuesday evening. To read on, click here. Kopanang Africa: Migrants are not the cause of South Africa's healthcare crisis Anti-xenophobia movement, Kopanang Africa, says the violent skirmishes witnessed outside numerous healthcare facilities in South Africa are an attempt to divert attention to hijack legitimate frustrations among communities including high unemployment and poor service delivery. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Left behind? Somalia secures Starlink
Somalia is the latest country on the continent to get Starlink – the internet satellite service belonging to Pretoria-born Elon Musk – leaving many South Africans frustrated at being 'left behind'. The news comes amid reports that the world's richest man is set to bypass transformative legislation like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies to operate his company in his home country. Musk is reportedly planning a R2 billion investment in development in southern Africa. On the X app, Elon Musk announced that Starlink was now operating in Somalia. The news came as a surprise to many, given the East African country's ongoing civil war and widespread poverty. South Africans also joined the commentary. Some, like former DA Renaldo Gouws, expressed their annoyance at South Africa seemingly falling behind. He posted on X: 'A war-torn Somalia manages to get Starlink before South Africa. What does this tell us about the competence of our government?' Another, @G1ngerNomad, added: 'What's actually sad is a country blocking a South African-born billionaire from connecting its poorest schools. While the rest of Africa just says 'yes' and plugs in'. Others claimed that Elon Musk's company was not welcome in South Africa, as long as it did not adhere to transformative legislation that applied to foreign investors. Starlink currently operates in 20 African countries, including South Africa's neighbouring countries, such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, eSwatini, and Lesotho. However, the internet satellite service has yet to be granted an operating licence in South Africa. According to reports, Starlink, which falls under SpaceX, is likely hoping to achieve this with its plans to invest over R2 billion in the country. Business Day reports that the company would finance infrastructure to support the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is made up of 16 countries. Should Starlink operate in South Africa? Images via X: @starlink The move is thought to be a way to 'work around' local BEE policies, which require 30% local shareholding for foreign investors. In May, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gazetted a policy direction for his department on EEIPs, which are considered 'alternatives' to transformative legislation. Without mentioning Starlink, the minister claimed that the policy would 'attract investment,' specifically in operating licensing. The minister revealed that current legislation for foreign investments 'did not allow companies to contribute to transformation goals in ways other than traditional ownership'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Mail & Guardian
10 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Mbalula dares US to bring on sanctions against ANC leaders
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula. (X) 'If they want to bring sanctions on us, let them bring them. This country, South Africa, and all its citizens, know that it's a democratic country, it's a liberated country and we are still transforming this country in order to achieve equity,' Mbalula said in a press briefing on Wednesday. 'We will still pursue redress; we are not equal in this economy. This economy is still male white dominated and you want to tell us to abandon policies that seek to advance transformation.' Organisations such as Afrikaner lobby group President US congressman ANC national spokesperson In a post on X post in May, Jackson accused South Africa of withdrawing from the US and its allies in recent years while deepening relationships with its adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and Hamas. In July, Jackson celebrated that 'my bill to fully review America's relationship with South Africa and give President Trump the tools necessary to hold their corrupt government accountable passed through committee'. 'The days of allowing our so-called 'allies' to walk all over us are over!' Jackson added. On Wednesday, Mbalula said the Trump administration was asking the ANC to abandon its ideals and adopt a position similar to the Democratic Alliance (DA), with which it has clashed over transformation policies, leading to tension in the government of national unity (GNU) led by the two parties. 'You are asking the ANC to abandon what we stand for, to stop struggling, close shop and become something. We are not DA — the DA will address that because they do not want affirmative action, they don't want redress, they don't believe in transformation,' Mbalula said. South Africa is bracing for a 30% tariff on exports to the US to kick in on 7 August. The country is among several around the world facing punitive tariffs from the US as it moves to protect its own manufacturers. Mbalula said while the tariffs would negatively affect the economy, it would not abandon policies such as black economic empowerment to appease Washington. 'It's not going to be possible. If it means we have to suffer sanctions from the US, let it be. We will never beg imperialists to subvert our democracy, to subvert our sovereignty,' he said. 'It happened during the period of struggle, it will happen even now, we will never forsake what we fought for … and we are still marching even now.' Mbalula said the ANC had also resolved at its four-day national executive committee meeting held last Friday to Monday to begin speaking to other political parties about joining the government of national unity, a move which would dilute the DA's power. 'The DA wanted to have a marriage between us. Those who want to leave can leave, but this country must not collapse, and it will not collapse at the hands of the ANC; it's going to succeed going forward. They advocated for sanctions against our country, disguised as tariffs to hit us. Where is the national interest and where do we draw the line?'
