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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Africa starts a soul-searching 'national dialogue' about poverty, inequality and other issues
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African is starting a 'national dialogue' Friday that is meant to bring all sectors of society together to discuss the country's most pressing issues and find solutions. The talks, initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa after calls from civil society, are expected to include most political parties, civic groups and members of the public. Concerns have been raised over a possible $40 million cost, while there are also questions about whether the dialogue will result in significant changes. South Africa faces many problems more than 30 years after the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule, including high levels of poverty and inequality, crime, corruption and an unemployment rate of more than 30% — one of the world's worst. The country is no stranger to national talks, including the multiparty negotiations for a peaceful end to apartheid in the early 1990s. Here's what to know about the national dialogue, which begins with a two-day convention in the capital, Pretoria. Why South Africa is holding the talks Since its first democratic election in 1994, when Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first Black president, South Africa made progress in de-escalating racial tensions, improving the economy and providing access to millions of its poor Black majority. However, there are concerns that the country has digressed over the last decade and calls for a soul-searching exercise grew louder after the long-governing African National Congress, or ANC, party lost its majority in the 2024 election, forcing South Africa to form a coalition government. Ramaphosa announced the dialogue in June. 'The national dialogue must be a place where everyone has a voice. The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future," he said. The participants South Africans from all walks of life are expected to voice their views at the dialogue, with talks expected to be held in person and virtually. Ramaphosa has appointed an Eminent Persons Group, which is made up of religious, sports, labor and civic figures who he says reflect the great diversity of South Africa. They include South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi, award-winning 'Black Panther' actor John Kani and former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron. Not everyone believes the talks will have a real impact. The Democratic Alliance, or DA, the second-biggest party in the coalition government, withdrew in a dispute with the ANC over the firing of one of its deputy ministers by Ramaphosa. It has also said that the talks are a waste of public money. The MK Party, the official opposition, has said that it won't participate. The dialogue will happen in phases and take the form of public discussions in all of South Africa's nine provinces. It's unclear how long the dialogue will last, but a second convention could happen early next year. Criticism of the national dialogue Some high-profile foundations have pulled out of this week's opening convention, citing rushed timelines and logistical issues, but they have said they will participate in the rest of the program. The estimated cost of the dialogue has drawn criticism, although Ramaphosa's office has said that it's not as high as the numbers being put forward. 'If you want to have a real nationwide process, then it is going to cost a lot of money. It's not something that can be avoided,' University of Pretoria political analyst Dirk Kotze said. The DA party and others have accused the ANC of trying to control the conversation and use it as a platform to campaign before local elections next year. 'I think the message that comes through specifically for the ANC is that they should stand a little bit back and not try to control the process,' Kotze said. ___ AP Africa news: Michelle Gumede And Mogomotsi Magome, The Associated Press
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Trump unveils 25% tariffs on Japan, S. Korea in letters to leaders
Members of South Korean civic groups hold a rally in Seoul opposing US President Donald Trump's aggressive new tariffs policy. (AP pic) WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump on Monday began telling trade partners – from powerhouse suppliers like Japan and South Korea to minor players – that sharply higher US tariffs will start Aug 1, marking a new phase in the trade war he launched earlier this year. The 14 countries sent letters so far, which included smaller US exporters like Serbia, Thailand and Tunisia, hinted at opportunities for additional negotiations while at the same time warning that any reprisal steps would be met with a like-for-like response. 'If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,' Trump said in letters, released on his Truth Social platform, to Japan and South Korea. The higher tariffs take effect Aug 1, and notably will not combine with previously announced sector tariffs such as those on automobiles and steel and aluminum. That means, for instance, that Japanese vehicle tariffs will remain at 25%, rather than the existing 25% sector tariff climbing to 50% with the new reciprocal rate as has occurred with some of Trump's tariffs. The clock has been ticking for countries to conclude deals with the US after Trump in April unleashed a global trade war that has roiled financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies. Trading partners got another reprieve as the White House said Trump will sign an executive order on Monday extending the Wednesday deadline for negotiations to Aug 1. Trump has kept much of the world guessing on the outcome of months of talks with countries hoping to avoid the hefty tariff hikes he has threatened. The rate for South Korea is the same as Trump initially announced, while the rate for Japan is 1 point higher than first announced on April 2. A week later, he capped all of the so-called reciprocal tariffs at 10% until Wednesday. Only two agreements have so far been reached, with Britain and Vietnam. Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said it was unfortunate Trump was hiking tariffs for two of the closest US allies, but there was still time for a breakthrough in negotiations. 'While the news is disappointing, it does not mean the game is over,' Cutler said. Trump said later Monday that the US would impose 25% tariffs on Tunisia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan; 30% on South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh; 36% on Cambodia and Thailand and 40% on Laos and Myanmar. There was no immediate response from the Japanese or South Korean embassies on the announcement. Market drop US stocks fell in response, the latest market turmoil as Trump's trade moves have repeatedly whipsawed financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies. US stocks were driven to near bear-market territory by his cascade of tariff announcements through the early spring but quickly rebounded to record highs in the weeks after he put the stiffest levies on hold on April 9. The S&P 500 closed down about 0.8%, its biggest drop in three weeks. US-listed shares of Japanese automotive companies fell, with Toyota Motor closing down 4.0% and Honda Motor off by 3.9%. The dollar surged against both the Japanese yen and the South Korean won. 'Tariff talk has sucked the wind out of the sails of the market,' said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. Most of the announced tariff rates have been rounded down, he added, and the letters come across as 'take it or leave it' offers. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said earlier on Monday he expected several trade announcements in the next 48 hours, adding that his inbox was full of countries' last-ditch offers. Trading blocs The European Union will not be receiving a letter setting out higher tariffs, EU sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The European Union still aims to reach a trade deal by July 9 after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Trump had a 'good exchange,' a commission spokesperson said. It was not clear, however, whether there had been a meaningful breakthrough in talks to stave off tariff hikes on the US largest trading partner. The EU has been torn over whether to push for a quick and light trade deal or leverage its economic clout to negotiate a better outcome. It had already given up hopes for a comprehensive trade agreement before the July deadline. Trump has also said he could impose a 17% tariff on EU food and agriculture exports. The president also threatened leaders of developing nations in the BRICS group, who are meeting in Brazil, with an additional 10% tariff if they adopt 'anti-American' policies. The group includes Brazil, Russia, India and China among others.
