S-Africa wants delay of US tariff increase deadline
(MENAFN)
South Africa has formally requested an extension from the United States on the approaching deadline for a tariff increase, as both nations continue to negotiate a trade agreement. Tensions between Pretoria and Washington have heightened since US President Donald Trump took office in January.
South Africa has formally requested an extension from the United States on the approaching deadline for a tariff increase, as both nations continue to negotiate a trade agreement. Tensions between Pretoria and Washington have heightened since US President Donald Trump took office in January.
The South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) announced the request on Tuesday, ahead of the July 9 deadline when a 31% tariff on South African exports to the US is scheduled to begin. This tariff is part of the global “reciprocal tariffs” introduced by Trump in April to address what he claimed was unfair exploitation of the US market by foreign countries. The implementation of these tariffs was initially delayed for 90 days to allow time for talks.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticized the tariffs as punitive, stating that they create barriers to trade and shared economic growth. On Tuesday, the DTIC said its officials had met with US Assistant Trade Representative for Africa, Connie Hamilton, and again requested an extension of the 90-day period to give South Africa and other African nations time to finalize their trade proposals under a new framework.
President Ramaphosa first introduced the proposed framework during a White House meeting with Trump in May, where tensions flared after Trump accused South Africa of “genocide” against white farmers, resulting in the US cutting federal aid and expelling South Africa’s ambassador.
South Africa aims to secure exemptions for key exports like vehicles, auto parts, steel, and aluminum from the tariff increase. In return, the country has offered to import liquefied natural gas from the US, according to the DTIC. The ministry added that South Africa is also seeking a worst-case scenario cap of a 10% tariff.
Trade Minister Parks Tau encouraged local industries to remain patient and avoid hasty decisions, assuring that the government would explore all options to negotiate a favorable outcome and protect South African interests in the US market.
As the largest beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), South Africa enjoys duty-free access to the US market for many goods. The US ranks as South Africa’s second-largest bilateral trade partner after China. Officials have warned that the tariffs could threaten up to 35,000 jobs in the citrus export sector alone.
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