South Africa is set to present what it calls a “broad, generous and ambitious” new trade package to the United States in a bid to avert the 30 percent tariffs recently imposed by the President Donald Trump administration.
The tariff which is the highest levied on any sub-Saharan African country targets several South African exports and could threaten about 30,000 jobs in the country.
While the exact details of the proposal have not been stated, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that commitments to increase imports of US poultry, blueberries, and pork had been finalised.
“When the document is eventually made public, I think you would see it as a very broad, generous and ambitious offer to the United States on trade,” he told AFP.
Trade Minister Parks Tau stressed that South African exports account for just 0.25 percent of total US imports, posing no threat to American industries.
“Our goal is to show that our trade relationship is complementary, not competitive,” he said.
However, the negotiations have been complicated by political differences.
Steenhuisen revealed that US diplomats raised concerns over South African domestic policies, including land reform measures and employment laws aimed at addressing racial inequalities.
President Trump has been openly critical of the government’s policies such as expropriation without compensation, describing them as barriers to doing business.
“I think we’re seeing a new era where trade and tariffs are being used to pressure countries on broader policy issues, not just trade concerns,” Steenhuisen said.
The United States remains South Africa’s third-largest trading partner after the European Union and China.
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