South Africa has unveiled a bold strategy to counter the effects of new US tariffs, which will impose a 31% increase on South African exports starting April 2025. The government’s plan focuses on diversifying exports, boosting value-added production, and strengthening regional trade partnerships, particularly within Africa.
This move follows the US’s decision under President Donald Trump to implement global reciprocal tariffs, with South Africa facing significant economic challenges as a result. The tariffs affect various sectors of South Africa’s economy, including automotive, agriculture, food processing, chemicals, and manufacturing, sectors that rely heavily on exports to the US.
Trade Minister Parks Tau and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola spoke to the media on Friday about the government’s response. They expressed confidence that South Africa would continue to navigate the challenges while pursuing economic growth, industrial development, and the well-being of its people.
According to Lamola, South Africa’s approach includes negotiating better trade agreements with the US and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost trade across the continent. In addition, the government plans to focus on high-value manufacturing to reduce exposure to tariffs and explore new markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions.
The South African government also plans strategic investments in industries that are directly impacted by the tariffs, prioritizing modernization and targeted infrastructure projects to strengthen the industrial base.
Lamola further highlighted that the country would work to reduce its reliance on a single export market, diversifying its trade to ensure economic resilience. South Africa’s average tariff is currently 7.6%, and Lamola called for clarity on the US’s decision to impose a 31% tariff, especially considering the trade imbalance between the two nations. While the US accounts for 7.45% of South Africa’s exports, South Africa represents only 0.4% of US imports.
The new tariffs threaten to nullify the trade benefits South Africa enjoys under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has allowed preferential access to the US market for Sub-Saharan African countries.
Despite the setback, Lamola expressed optimism about the future, stressing the need to renegotiate fairer trade agreements with the US to secure long-term trade stability.
Minister Tau also called for transparency in tariff calculations and advocated for reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ensure more equitable global trade practices. He stressed the importance of reinforcing multilateral trade systems and ensuring transparency across all international trade relations.
