Cape Town – South Africa will not impose reciprocal tariffs on US goods in response to the 30% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, as this could trigger a harmful “race to the bottom” amid rising global trade protectionism.
Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau, alongside International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, emphasised that retaliatory tariffs would be counterproductive.
Instead, South Africa will engage with the US to find solutions and explore alternative trade strategies, including bilateral trade deals, regional trade growth, and alliances with pro-trade nations.
WATCH LIVE | Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau brief media on South Africa’s strategic approach to new US tariff regime #GovZAUpdates https://t.co/I9XfBNL7sh
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 4, 2025
“It would be ill-considered to just make a decision to impose reciprocal tariffs. In any case, we are going to engage the US and our commitment is to engage meaningfully until we find the solutions to these problems,” TimesLIVE quoted Tau as saying.
The tariffs, which nullify the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), were not seen as directly linked to past tensions over land expropriation.
However, President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to send a delegation to the US to ease trade tensions.
“South Africa will work to secure opportunities, in a context of a rapid withdrawal of favourable arrangements giving our exports preferential access to the US. This might involve securing additional exemptions and favourable quota agreements, ensuring our industries maintain critical access to the US market, including through sectoral cooperation,” Tau and Lamola said, according to IOL.
Despite the tariff setback, South Africa remains committed to economic growth and industrial development. The government still plans to attend the Agoa Forum in Washington in July to advocate for the program’s extension beyond its September expiration.
