Live updates: Trump makes last-minute trade deals; legality of tariffs in court
The president agreed to terms with South Korea on Wednesday, the latest in his list of nations to strike a bargain. Canada, however, faces a steeper hill after it said it would recognize a Palestinian state (with conditions) and Trump declared that stance would make negotiations for favorable trade levies more difficult.
Trump's plans for higher reciprocal tariffs land in court on Thursday, when the U.S. Appeals Court for the Federal District, located in Washington, will scrutinize them after a group of businesses and a bloc of states sued, saying they weren't legal.
Meanwhile, amid calls for humanitarian relief in Gaza, the president is pushing for Hamas to 'surrender' and free its hostages, saying in a social media post Thursday morning that it is the 'fastest way' to end the crisis.
The president on Thursday will lunch with the vice president, then sign executive orders later in the day. A White House press briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq climb in bounce back from Friday sell-off
US stocks made gains Monday as Wall Street regrouped amid a slew of fresh headwinds, including disappointing labor data and continuing trade uncertainty. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.7%, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.6%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the gains, rising about 1%. The moves follow a sharp pullback on Wall Street on Friday. All three major indexes posted their worst weekly declines in months, ending a run of positive market moves. The S&P 500 fell 2.4%, marking its steepest drop since late May. The Dow slumped 2.9% in its worst week since early April, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) shed 2.2%. The declines were exacerbated Friday after July's jobs report came in weaker than expected, and previous months' tallies were revised sharply lower, flipping the narrative on the labor market's strength. It led President Trump to lash out at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which publishes the monthly jobs report, and fire its commissioner. Trump suggested he would nominate a new head for the agency in the coming days. Trump's battle with the Fed and Chair Jerome Powell has also remained in focus. Traders tempered expectations around interest rate policy following the bank's decision last week to leave rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive meeting. But after the weak jobs data, almost 90% of bets are on a cut in September. At the same time, investors are examining fallout from Trump's implementation of tariffs. The updated tariffs set to come into full effect this week range from 10% to 41% on a wide range of trading partners and raise concerns about rising costs amid broader inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, Tesla (TSLA) stock edged higher on Monday before the bell by 2% after reports emerged that the company had granted CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares worth about $29 billion. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs Earnings season continues to roll on with a busy week of corporate releases. Over 100 S&P 500 companies are set to report, with spotlights on Palantir (PLTR), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Disney (DIS). Stocks open higher following market sell-off US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. Trending tickers in premarket trading: Opendoor, Palantir, Tesla, Joby, Tyson Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Wayfair stock surges after online furniture retailer swings to a profit Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Oil slides as traders assess OPEC+ hike and Russian risks Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Goldman with a sobering view on the consumer Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Gold steady with weak job data bolstering the precious metal Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Stocks open higher following market sell-off US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. Trending tickers in premarket trading: Opendoor, Palantir, Tesla, Joby, Tyson Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Wayfair stock surges after online furniture retailer swings to a profit Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Oil slides as traders assess OPEC+ hike and Russian risks Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Goldman with a sobering view on the consumer Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Gold steady with weak job data bolstering the precious metal Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Boston Globe
14 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Thailand and Cambodia agree to a cease-fire in their deadly border clashes
Advertisement The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides. Anwar, who hosted the talks as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy following what he called frank discussions. 'This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,' Anwar said. The Malaysian meeting followed direct pressure from U.S. President Trump, who warned that the U.S. might not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue, giving both sides a face-saving justification for backing away from the fighting. In a statement later Monday on social media, Trump said the two sides had 'reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE... I am proud to be the President of PEACE!' Advertisement As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will hold talks Tuesday to defuse tensions while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on Aug. 4. Anwar said. The foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to 'develop a detailed mechanism' to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace, he added. Hun Manet said he hoped that bilateral ties could return to normal soon so that almost 300,000 villagers evacuated on both sides could return home. It is 'time to start rebuilding trust, confidence and cooperation going forward between Thailand and Cambodia,' he said. Phumtham said the outcome reflected 'Thailand's desire for a peaceful resolution.' The joint statement on the agreement said that the United States was a co-organizer of the talks, with participation from China. The Chinese and American ambassadors to Malaysia attended the meeting that lasted over two hours. In a press statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was involved in arranging the meeting, applauded the ceasefire declaration. Rubio said he and Trump 'are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict.' Thai residents who fled homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, celebrate at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Monday, July 28, 2025 after hearing Immediate and unconditional cease fire with effect from 24 hours local time, midnight on 28 July 2025. Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted news of the ceasefire on X and wrote: 'President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!' Advertisement Phumtham said after his return to Bangkok that Trump had called to offer congratulations for making a move toward peace. He also said Trump told him that Thailand's talks with Washington to set tariff levels on Thai exports could now proceed and that he would seek to make them as favorable as possible. A summary of the call from Phumtham's office said the prime minister thanked the preisdent for his 'important role' in seeking to resolve the crisis and declared that Trump would be honored and remembered in Thailand for his effort. The violence of recent days marked a rare instance of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand shut all border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home. News of the ceasefire deal brought relief and hope to evacuees from both sides. Some women at a crowded evacuation shelter in Surin, Thailand, shouted for joy. 'I'm happy about that, and feeling a bit relieved,' said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. 'We miss our home. There are many small things I'm worried about, livestock and rice fields. I don't know what might've happened to them. I want to go home, so I'm happy. I also think about our soldiers at the frontline. I want them to be safe and have a good sleep like us.' She also credited outside diplomacy for the breakthrough. 'Without them, our two countries would have had a hard time negotiating — both sides have quite a hard time talking and understanding each other,' she added. Advertisement Cambodian evacuees echoed the sentiment. Chhuot Nhav, 42, who fled her home in Oddar Meanchey province, a frontline for the fighting, said she was happy but also wary. 'I am happy because I can go home and take care of my pig, dog, chickens and my kids can now go back to school,' said Chhuot Nhav, from under a series of green tarps that stretched out to the length of a school bus. But she said she will 'wait until the fighting really stops' before heading back. Another farmer Kong Sin, however, said he would head back home Tuesday if the ceasefire took place as agreed. The 500-mile frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. ________ Jintamas reported from Surin, Thailand, and Sopheng Cheang from Samrong, Cambodia. Associated Press writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok and Anton L. Delgado in Samrong contributed to this report.
San Francisco Chronicle
14 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
US tariffs put 30,000 South African jobs at risk, officials say
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — U.S. reciprocal tariffs have put an estimated 30,000 jobs at risk, South African authorities said Monday, four days before a 30% U.S. tariff on most imports from South Africa kicks in. South Africa was slapped with one of the highest tariff rates by its third-largest trading partner — after China and the EU — creating uncertainty for the future of some export industries and catapulting a scramble for new markets outside the U.S. Tariffs come into effect on Aug. 8. In an update on mitigation measures, a senior government official warned that an estimated 30,000 jobs were in jeopardy if the response to the higher tariffs was 'mismanaged'. 'We base this on the ongoing consultations that we have with all the sectors of the economy from automotive, agriculture and all the other sectors that are going to be impacted,' said Simphiwe Hamilton, director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. South Africa is already grappling with stubbornly high unemployment rates. The official rate was 32,9% in the first quarter of 2025 according to StatsSA, the national statistical agency, while the youth unemployment rate increased from 44,6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46,1% in the first quarter of 2025. In his weekly public letter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that South Africa must adapt swiftly to the tariffs since they could have a big impact on the economy, the industries that rely heavily on exports to the U.S. and the workers they employ. 'As government, we have been engaging the United States to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US,' he said. 'Our foremost priority is protecting our export industries. We will continue to engage the US in an attempt to preserve market access for our products.' President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the country's Black-led government over a new land law he claims discriminates against white people. Negotiations with the U.S. have been complicated and unprecedented, according to South Africa's ministers, who denied rumors that the lack of an ambassador in the U.S affected the result of the talks. The Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa's ambassador to Washington, in mid-March, accusing him of being a 'race-baiting politician' who hates Trump. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola highlighted that even countries with ambassadors in the U.S. and allies of Washington had been hard hit with tariffs. However, Lamola confirmed that the process of appointing a replacement for Rasool was 'at an advanced stage'. The U.S. accounts for 7.5% of South Africa's global exports. However, several sectors, accounting for 35% of exports to the U.S., remain exempt from the tariffs. These include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber products, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap and energy products remain exempted from the tariffs. The government has been scrambling to diversify South Africa's export markets, particularly by deepening intra-African trade. Countries across Asia and the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have been touted as opportunities for high-growth markets. The government said it had made significant progress in opening vast new markets like China and Thailand, securing vital protocols for products like citrus. The government has set up an Export Support Desk to aid manufacturers and exporters in South Africa search for alternate markets. While welcoming the establishment of the Export Support Desk, an independent association representing some of South Africa's biggest and most well-known businesses called for a trade crisis committee to be established that brings together business leaders and government officials, including from the finance ministry. Business Leadership South Africa said such a committee would ensure fast, coordinated action to open new markets, provide financial support, and maintain employment. 'U.S. tariffs pose a severe threat to South Africa's manufacturing and farming sectors, particularly in the Eastern Cape. While businesses can eventually adapt, urgent temporary support is essential,' said BLSA in a statement.
