South Africa Stands Firm as Washington Stalls

With silence from the US, SA ramps up efforts to protect trade, diversify exports, and reset relations

South Africa isn’t sitting back as the United States drags its feet on finalising a crucial trade agreement. With potential 30% tariffs on the horizon, Pretoria is stepping up negotiations, fine-tuning its proposals, and preparing local industries for whatever may come next.

At the heart of this push is a strategic desire not just to salvage a deal, but to reset the country’s broader trade relationship with the US. That reset, according to government officials, is long overdue.

A Deal Hanging in the Balance

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau broke his silence this week to offer rare insight into South Africa’s ongoing efforts behind the scenes. Despite little response from Washington, Tau confirmed that the country has submitted its framework deal, signed the condition precedent, and is now waiting for the next step, a formal template from the US that would move talks forward.

“We’ve planned for multiple scenarios. We are not sitting idle,” Tau said at a briefing on Tuesday, adding that a support desk has already been established to help industries prepare for any fallout.

If the talks fail, the impact on exporters could be severe. South African poultry, blueberries, and manufactured goods — including products from small businesses are all vulnerable to the proposed 30% tariff hike, which would massively inflate prices in the US and threaten competitiveness.

But South Africa’s proposal isn’t all about defence. It’s also designed to woo Washington with real value.

The country has pledged to import 75-100 petajoules of liquified natural gas from the US over the next decade, a $12 billion opportunity for American exporters. Market access for US poultry and agriculture is also on the table, along with a $3.3 billion investment promise by South African firms in US industries like mining and metals recycling.

Why Washington’s Silence Matters

For many in South Africa’s business community, Washington’s delay has been frustrating, especially given how high the stakes are. Some critics suspect that geopolitical tensions, particularly around South Africa’s neutral stance on global conflicts, may be behind the cold shoulder.

“There’s no way to separate geopolitics from trade anymore,” said a Johannesburg-based trade consultant on X. “South Africa needs to diversify, fast.”

That sentiment is growing louder.

A Shift in Strategy: Looking Beyond the US

Enter Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s Presidential Envoy to North America, who says the time has come to reduce the country’s dependency on a single trading partner no matter how historic the relationship may be.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation this week, Jonas urged South Africa to look eastward and southward: “We must see export diversification as a form of insurance,” he said. “Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America offer massive untapped potential.”

He added that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) also holds promise, but said it needs serious acceleration to help the continent withstand future global shocks.

Jonas made it clear, however, that the US relationship isn’t just transactional. It’s built on a shared belief in democratic values and justice, but those ideals, he implied, must be matched by action.

Can the Relationship Be Saved?

Minister Tau seems to think so.

“President Ramaphosa has made it clear, we are open to a reset,” Tau said. “This isn’t about just another deal. It’s about putting South Africa’s people first and building a partnership that’s truly mutual.”

While the White House stays mum, South Africa is working the clock, crafting a response strategy, protecting vulnerable industries, and preparing to pivot if needed.

Whether the US comes to the table or not, one thing is clear: South Africa isn’t waiting in the wings. It’s rewriting the playbook.

{Source: IOL}

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