Ramaphosa Sends Team to US as South Africa Navigates Tariff Talks

Officials on the ground to negotiate in Washington and New York

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that a South African delegation is already in the United States preparing for urgent trade negotiations, following the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 30% tariff on South African exports in August. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, 9 September, Ramaphosa said the talks are scheduled to take place “in just a few days” and involve high-level engagement with US government officials, lawmakers, and business leaders.

Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola are expected to join the delegation. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa himself will be attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, though it remains unclear whether he will directly participate in the tariff discussions.

Steering clear of retaliation

The government’s approach has come under fire from opposition parties. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema accused Pretoria of “appeasement” and suggested South Africa had “lost its status globally” by failing to retaliate against US trade restrictions.

Ramaphosa, however, cautioned against immediate retaliatory measures, pointing out that at least 600 US companies operate locally, employing thousands of South Africans. “It is the interests of these many people that we as a government have to take care of before we engage in a war,” he said.

The President emphasised that a measured approach, focused on negotiation rather than confrontation, was the best way to protect South African jobs and economic growth.

Protecting jobs and businesses

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has warned that the tariff hike puts roughly 30,000 South African jobs at risk. To mitigate the impact, the government has launched an Export Support Desk, designed to assist businesses navigating the increased costs of exporting goods to the US.

“Our option is informed by what we want to gain,” Ramaphosa told Parliament. “We want to continue exporting to the US, enable our companies to invest there, and attract American investment into South Africa.”

The strategy is guided by close consultation with the private sector, including exporters, importers, and local industry leaders. Ramaphosa stressed that while other nations, such as China, Canada, and the European Union, have opted for retaliatory tariffs, Pretoria’s approach seeks a “mutually beneficial outcome.”

Confidence in South Africa as an investment destination

Adding to the optimism around South Africa’s global economic standing, US retail giant Walmart announced it would open stores in the country. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) described the move as “an expression of confidence in the country” and evidence that South Africa remains a “reliable investment destination.”

Ramaphosa also reiterated South Africa’s sovereignty, promising that the country will not be bullied. “We will stand as a sovereign country and negotiate and get the best deal for South Africa – that’s precisely what we’re doing,” he said.

Ambassadorial appointment on the horizon

Parliament also pressed Ramaphosa on the appointment of a new South African ambassador to the US, after the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool earlier this year. The President assured lawmakers that the appointment would soon be finalised, and that the chosen diplomat would be highly experienced, politically astute, and knowledgeable about the US market.

With the team now on the ground and a clear strategy in place, South Africa is betting on dialogue, expertise, and careful negotiation to turn a tariff crisis into an opportunity for stronger trade and investment ties.

{Source: The Citizen}

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