JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the tariffs announcement by the United States.
From the 1st of August, the US will impose a 30% tariff on all South African goods.
According to President Donald Trump's letter to President Ramaphosa, South Africa sells more to the US than it buys.
The president says the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate picture of the available data when it comes to trade relations.
According to President Ramaphosa's response, on average imported goods entering South Africa is at 7.6 percent, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty.
South Africa and the United States have been in negotiations on matters of trade and South Africa is still waiting on a template from the US in regards to Framework Deal that South Africa submitted to the US on 20 May 2025.
This Framework deal addresses the issues raised by the US, including South Africa’s supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity from the US.