South Africa faces Trump tariff crisis in just 14 days
Without urgent action, South Africa could face the Trump tariff disaster in just two weeks…
Mark Tuesday, 9 July 2025, as the day the Trump tariff disaster officially began. In April, US President Donald Trump announced 30% “punitive reciprocal trade tariffs” on South Africa.
As political tensions between South Africa and the US escalated, many feared the tariffs would severely damage South Africa’s economy. But unexpectedly, Trump placed a “90-day pause” on the plan—briefly averting the looming crisis.
TRUMP TARIFF DISASTER
According to BusinessTech, the pause ends in just 14 days, on Tuesday, 9 July 2025. In the meantime, South Africa has sent the President and top officials to ease tensions with the US. However, time is running out fast.
However, Busi Mavuso of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) says an important meeting is taking place this week in Washington. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is meeting with US officials to hopefully dodge the Trump tariff disaster once and for all, and secure an economic future for the country.
NO AGREEMENT ON TRADE
Of course, South Africa tabled several trade proposals to the US when President Ramaphosa last visited Washington. These talks covered access to minerals and potential acquisitions of US liquefied natural gas, among other issues. However, negotiators have made no progress since then.
Interestingly, it’s not South Africa that’s dragging its heels but rather the US that has not given formal feedback on the proposals. Essentially, it sounds like the US is ghosting us. And the clock is ticking. Minister Tau is the one entrusted with breaking the impasse this week.
CRITICAL MINERALS FOR THE US
Mavuso says: “Africa remains a critical source of minerals essential to the American economy. And the continent’s growing population positions Africa as a key long-term manufacturing hub, too. Therefore, a Trump tariff disaster risks ceding this strategic advantage to China,” said Mavuso.
This week, Minister Tau will push either for an extension or a complete freeze on the tariffs. Securing any trade agreements will play a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic ties between South Africa and the US. If he fails, South Africa risks losing access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a central focus of the negotiations.