South Africa in ‘negotiations’ with US over tariffs as deadline pushed back by a week • FRANCE 24

The 30% US tariffs on South African products are due to take effect within 7 days after the 1st of August to reset relations. They are among the highest in subsahara and Africa amid tense relations. The country’s president Siril Ramaposa says discussions with Washington are ongoing. We’ve got to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. So within the window that’s still open, we’re hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. So intensive negotiations are now underway. Among the sectors hit hard, South Africa’s automotive and steel industries. This file manufacturer in Johannesburg employs 200 people. The company fears the 30% tariff will force it to leave the US market which currently accounts for 80% of its exports. The longer the tariffs stay in place uh the longer the uh situation will continue to disable us. Wine, nuts, avocados and fruit are exported to the United States from South Africa in large quantities. The US imports between 6 and 8% of the country’s citrus fruit production. One producer in Citrus D 200 km north of Cape Town says his business will adjust. We can survive this. We probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then then move forward. But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there’s going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrus D. The governor of the South African Central Bank says Trump’s tariffs could result in 100,000 jobs lost in Africa’s largest economy.

South Africa is among the countries facing President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on exports, that are due to come into force on August 7, rather than August 1st as previously announced. President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will use the week-long delay to try to negotiate hard to avoid the penalty and save jobs.
#USA #SouthAfrica #tariffs

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7 comments

  1. SA must get rid of it's racist policies against the minority white population forcing them to give over 50% of any business they run to black partners and who have ZERO access to government tenders!!!!!! rich of this government who feel entitled to do business with everyone but make it nearly impossible for whites to do business at all

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