Tau confirms revised trade offer made to US
The resolution was made at a Cabinet meeting last week.
Tau said the new offer substantively responds to the issues the US has raised in the 2025 national trade estimates report.
In a shake-up to address trade deficits, the US imposed 30% tariffs on imports from South Africa, the highest duty charged on goods from any sub-Saharan nation.
The new offer submitted to US trade officials on Tuesday builds on the previous offer submitted in May.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Effective empowerment of women will boost the economy
Refilwe Lesufi Image: Supplied As Women's Month continues to be commemorated in South Africa with colourful banners and applause, it is worth noting that for many women and girls, the struggle for equal opportunity is a daily lived experience. Efforts to empower women and girls in South Africa have not resulted in an impactful shift in addressing historical disparities. The labour market continues to favour men and shows minimal signs of making real progress towards improving prospects for women. Stats SA's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2025 reveals ongoing disparities in the labour market. A media statement by Stats SA notes that the unemployment rate for women in this period was 35,9% compared with 31,0% for men, a gap of 4,9 percentage points. 'These differences reflect persistent gender imbalances in unemployment, labour force participation and the sectors in which men and women are employed.' 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Education is also not closing the gap in unemployment for South African women, according to the Stats SA statement, and gender disparities in the labour market remain entrenched across all levels of educational attainment. 'In the second quarter of 2025, the official unemployment rate for graduates stood at 12,2%, marking a 0,5 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. … a closer look reveals a persistent gender gap among the most educated. Female graduates faced an unemployment rate of 15%, compared to 8,9% for their male counterparts, a difference of 6,1 percentage points.' A gender-focused approach is needed to deliver employment opportunities that are inclusive and responsive to challenges faced by women. In South Africa, a large share of the country's scarce skills lies within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM ) fields. According to the Reginsights article, ''The Most In-Demand Skills in South Africa 2025,' skills such as ICT specialists, engineering professionals, healthcare workers, renewable energy experts, technicians, education specialists, agricultural scientists, finance specialists, and logistics professionals are all in short supply. As we celebrate National Science Week, let us remember that the future of STEM in South Africa lies in the hands of our youth. Image: Supplied STEM as a strategic driver offers a powerful, gender-focused pathway to creating inclusive employment opportunities, especially for women in rural areas, informal settlements and townships, while directly addressing the unique barriers they face. PROTEC is an independent NPO that provides education support in STEM gateway subjects – Mathematics, Technology and Science – as well as English and World of Work life skills training. In partnership with our funders, we have consistently committed to advancing the gender equality and redress agenda. More than 63% of our total beneficiaries are female, and we are seeing a growing number of young women pursuing careers in engineering, science, and other STEM fields that were once male-dominated. In 2024, ten of PROTEC's top twelve matric beneficiaries were female. Why is a focus on women so important? An article by the Stellenbosch University Business School in December 2024, titled 'Equal pay for equal work: How does South Africa measure up?' reveals that, 'In South Africa, around 38% of households are headed by women. Female-headed households are approximately 40% poorer than those headed by men. Also, 48% of female-headed households support extended family members compared to only 23% of male-headed households.' Women bear a disproportionate burden in caring for children, earn less than men, are more vulnerable to domestic violence, and face greater challenges in accessing resources to improve their lives — illustrating how power dynamics continue to favour men.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Effective empowerment of women will boost the economy
Refilwe Lesufi | Published 14 minutes ago As Women's Month continues to be commemorated in South Africa with colourful banners and applause, it is worth noting that for many women and girls, the struggle for equal opportunity is a daily lived experience. Efforts to empower women and girls in South Africa have not resulted in an impactful shift in addressing historical disparities. The labour market continues to favour men and shows minimal signs of making real progress towards improving prospects for women. Stats SA's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2025 reveals ongoing disparities in the labour market. A media statement by Stats SA notes that the unemployment rate for women in this period was 35,9% compared with 31,0% for men, a gap of 4,9 percentage points. 'These differences reflect persistent gender imbalances in unemployment, labour force participation and the sectors in which men and women are employed.' Education is also not closing the gap in unemployment for South African women, according to the Stats SA statement, and gender disparities in the labour market remain entrenched across all levels of educational attainment. 'In the second quarter of 2025, the official unemployment rate for graduates stood at 12,2%, marking a 0,5 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. … a closer look reveals a persistent gender gap among the most educated. Female graduates faced an unemployment rate of 15%, compared to 8,9% for their male counterparts, a difference of 6,1 percentage points.' A gender-focused approach is needed to deliver employment opportunities that are inclusive and responsive to challenges faced by women. In South Africa, a large share of the country's scarce skills lies within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM ) fields. According to the Reginsights article, ''The Most In-Demand Skills in South Africa 2025,' skills such as ICT specialists, engineering professionals, healthcare workers, renewable energy experts, technicians, education specialists, agricultural scientists, finance specialists, and logistics professionals are all in short supply. STEM as a strategic driver offers a powerful, gender-focused pathway to creating inclusive employment opportunities, especially for women in rural areas, informal settlements and townships, while directly addressing the unique barriers they face. PROTEC is an independent NPO that provides education support in STEM gateway subjects – Mathematics, Technology and Science – as well as English and World of Work life skills training. In partnership with our funders, we have consistently committed to advancing the gender equality and redress agenda. More than 63% of our total beneficiaries are female, and we are seeing a growing number of young women pursuing careers in engineering, science, and other STEM fields that were once male-dominated. In 2024, ten of PROTEC's top twelve matric beneficiaries were female. Why is a focus on women so important? An article by the Stellenbosch University Business School in December 2024, titled ' Equal pay for equal work: How does South Africa measure up? ' reveals that, 'In South Africa, around 38% of households are headed by women. Female-headed households are approximately 40% poorer than those headed by men. Also, 48% of female-headed households support extended family members compared to only 23% of male-headed households.' Women bear a disproportionate burden in caring for children, earn less than men, are more vulnerable to domestic violence, and face greater challenges in accessing resources to improve their lives — illustrating how power dynamics continue to favour men. With concerted effort by South African organisations across the board, we can break barriers, redress imbalances, and ensure that South Africa's future workforce is inclusive and ready for the challenges of tomorrow. Industry leaders can actively invest in: Exposure – by introducing girls to STEM career paths from an early age. Support – by funding education, training, and resources. Mentorship – by connecting learners with role models. Employment pathways – through internships, bursaries and jobs. As UN Women reminds us: 'Ensuring women's and girls' rights in all areas of their lives is the only way to secure prosperous and just economies and build a healthy planet for future generations.' By deliberately empowering girls and women, we have the power to reshape history, drive economic growth, reduce poverty and improve health and livelihoods.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
The SACP comes to General Maphwanya's rescue after criticism for controversial foreign policy comments
South Africa has been criticised for its unclear foreign policy of non-alignment. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has come to the defence of South Africa's army chief, General Rudzana Maphwanya. This comes after the government distanced itself from controversial comments made by Mphwanya during his recent trip to Iran. Maphwananya came under fire for suggesting that South Africa and Iran have common goals. He also criticised Israel for its actions in the ongoing war in Gaza. In a statement on Saturday the SACP said there was nothing wrong with the comments Maphwanya made. 'The SANDF chief's comments in Iran regarding political and policy questions reportedly included South Africa's adopted and correctly articulated policy positions on Palestine.' it said. 'This reflects South Africa's international relations and cooperation policy, including solidarity.' The SACP believes that the government seems to be punishing Maphwanya for his comments. 'The government and the Presidency in particular, appears to have begun to act to isolate and punish the chief of the military for the alleged contravention of military code regarding political statements and policy statements made during the trip. 'This action is not an objective act of correcting the defence conduct of a soldier but is a political capitulation to Western-aligned imperialist, right-wing pressure directly influenced by the imperialists' political interests.' South Africa's foreign policy dilemma The SACP accused the South African government of mixed messages concerning its foreign policy. 'It clearly appears that the government is being cajoled to project itself as pro-West and anti-Iran.' Will action be taken against Maphwanya The party also said Maphwanya's comments should not be compared to the actions of DA MP Andrew Whitfield who went to the US on an unapproved trip during his time as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently removed Whitfield as the deputy minister. 'This comparison is incorrect, as Maphwanya's visit took place within the framework of military regulations with the full knowledge of the Minister of Defence whereas Whitfield's visit was unauthorised. 'The SACP rejects the impending acts of isolation and scapegoating of Maphwanya to appease Western imperialist forces and their domestic agents. compromising South Africa's sovereign right to formulate and implement its own foreign policy, including on defence cooperation.' The party said any actions by the government towards Maphwanya as military chief must be based on strengthening the country's military institutions and their capabilities. 'The SACP rejects any attempt at dictating which nations South Africa may have bilateral relations with, including defence, trade and investment. 'We will defend our country's right to build relations based on mutual respect, equality and solidarity, free from the dictatorship of Washington, Brussels or their local political surrogates.' ALSO READ: Ministries distance themselves from SANDF chief's comments in Iran Tensions with the U.S The SACP's remarks come as South Africa is on a mission to reset relations with the US. The Trump administration has also slapped South Africa with a 30% tariff on exports. Relations with the US have been strained since the spreading of misinformation by some civic organisations. NOW READ: Ramaphosa unaware of 'ill-advised' Iran trip by SANDF chief – Magwenya
