SA awaits US response to trade proposal as tariff deadline looms
Trump said on Monday he expected the US to set tariffs in the range of 15% to 20% for countries that did not reach a negotiated trade agreement with Washington, but did not specifically say if that applied to South Africa.
South Africa said on July 1 it was aiming for a maximum tariff application of 10%, and for some products to be exempt.
The DA, the second-biggest party in the government of national unity, said on Saturday it was being kept in the dark regarding the trade talks and was concerned a deal was 'far from completion'.
A farmers' association wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday asking for urgent action to save jobs.
A department of agriculture spokesperson confirmed the latest proposal was submitted in June, and was a revised draft of what South Africa had taken to Trump in May.
The office of the US trade representative did not respond to a request for comment.
The US is South Africa's second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago has said the proposed tariff could cause around 100,000 job losses, with the agriculture and automotive sectors hardest-hit.
Tau seemed to signal progress last week when he said South Africa had signed a 'condition precedent' document with the US trade office, but did not give details about what it contained.
Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa, said in a statement: 'Should we not be able to secure a favourable trade deal, or the concession for fresh produce, local job losses before the next season will be a certainty.'
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