01-08-2025
SA exports hit with 30% tariff as US rejects trade deal
South African exporters are bracing for a major financial hit as the United States (US) confirmed it will impose a 30% blanket tariff on all goods imported from South Africa, up from the current 10%.
The Witness reports that the White House announced yesterday that the new 'reciprocal' tariff rate will come into effect in seven days.
This forms part of US President Donald Trump's broader tariff policy targeting 70 countries that have failed to finalise trade agreements with the US.
South Africa's offer to avoid the hike has been rejected, including natural gas imports from the US, seasonal access for American agricultural products, and R60bin local investment pledges.
In a letter, dated July 7, to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump warned that unless an agreement was reached, all South African goods would be hit with a blanket 30% tariff.
The US has since dismissed South Africa's revised trade offers in May and June.
For local exporters, the new duties are a blow to the advantages previously granted under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allowed many SA goods, including vehicles and citrus, to enter the US market duty-free.
The Trump administration had already announced a 31% tariff on South African goods in April, but this was suspended for 90 days, with the US temporarily applying a 10% tariff instead. That grace period is now over.
Other countries affected include Switzerland (with tariffs rising to 39%) and Canada (35%). Lesotho, however, saw its tariff reduced from 50% in April to 15%.
South Africa's unsuccessful offers included duty-free quotas for US steel and vehicles, seasonal market access for US farmers, and the removal of non-tariff barriers such as restrictions on poultry and pork imports due to animal illness concerns.
Additionally, the government committed to attracting R60b in investment into US-linked industries such as mining and recycling.
Zane Dangor, director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed that the US has raised concerns over South Africa's black economic empowerment policies as part of the trade negotiations.
'We understand that these tariffs are going to place severe strain on exporters,' said one local trade analyst.
'The rejection of our revised offer leaves little room for manoeuvre.'
The new tariffs are expected to significantly raise the cost of South African exports to the US, reducing competitiveness and threatening jobs in key export sectors.
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