South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff rate for his country and disputed the calculation that underpins it, saying it was not an accurate interpretation of the facts.
Trump sent a letter to Ramaphosa on Monday, July 7, informing him that BRICS nation South Africa would face a 30 percent reciprocal tariff from August 1, 2025, to reflect the trade barriers he said the U.S. faces. Trump sent similar letters to 13 other countries.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s understanding of the trade data is that the average tariff on imported goods stands at 7.6 percent, but more than three-quarters of U.S. goods entered on a zero percent “most favored nation tariff”.
Ramaphosa said South Africa “will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship” with the U.S..
He also welcomed what he said was the Trump administration’s commitment to review the 30 percent reciprocal tariff once negotiations conclude.
“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with South Africa, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by South Africa’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers,” Trump wrote in his letter. “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”
The U.S. president said the 30 percent rate “is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country,” and warned that any additional hikes by South Africa to its tariffs would, in return, be added to the rate he has set.
Trump continued: “We look forward to working with you as your Trading Partner for many years to come.
“If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tarrif, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.
“These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country.”
Trump had earlier said that any country “aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS,” an economic group of developing countries, would face an additional 10 percent tariff.
This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
Read the full article here
