Ramaphosa slams Trump’s 30% tariff as unfair

President Cyril Ramaphosa has opposed the new 30 percent tariff on South African imports announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the move “unilateral” and based on a “misinterpretation” of trade data.

The tariff, set to take effect on August 1, threatens to strain U.S.–South Africa relations and deliver a serious blow to South Africa’s economy, particularly its automobile and agriculture sectors, which have long enjoyed duty-free access to the American market.

In an official response to a letter from President Trump, Ramaphosa pushed back against the claim that South Africa’s trade relationship with the U.S. is lopsided.

“This 30 percent tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade. More than half of the goods South Africa imports from the U.S. are not taxed, and the average tariff on the rest is just 7.6 percent,” Ramaphosa said.

South Africa is the only sub-Saharan African country targeted in the latest round of tariffs announced by the U.S. administration. Trump’s letter accused South Africa of maintaining persistent trade deficits through “tariff and non-tariff barriers,” asserting that the current arrangement is “far from reciprocal.”

Trump stated that the 30 percent rate could be adjusted depending on “our relationship with your country,” but warned that any retaliatory increase in South African tariffs would be matched and added to the U.S. rate.

“We’ve had years to fix this. We will charge South Africa a tariff of only 30% on all goods, separate from any sectoral tariffs,” Trump wrote.

Trump has also suspended U.S. foreign aid to South Africa since early in his term, citing alleged discrimination against the white minority, a claim South African officials have repeatedly dismissed as false and inflammatory.

President Ramaphosa says South Africa remains committed to diplomatic engagement, emphasizing the need for a “mutually beneficial” and “balanced” trade relationship.

“We will continue dialogue through the appropriate negotiating channels,” Ramaphosa said, confirming that South Africa and the U.S. are in ongoing talks.

The proposed tariffs were initially introduced in April as part of Trump’s broader “reciprocal tariffs” agenda but were suspended for 90 days to allow time for negotiations. With that window now closing, pressure is mounting on both sides to reach an agreement before the August 1 deadline.

Trump’s tariff campaign has targeted 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations, with rates as high as 40 percent. While the administration argues the move protects American jobs and industries, economists warn that it risks damaging global trade and driving up prices domestically.

Despite Trump’s insistence that the deadline is “firm,” he left the door slightly open to continued talks.

“If they call up and say they’d like to do something a different way, we’re going to be open to that,” Trump said when asked about flexibility.

The U.S. remains South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, and analysts say the 30% tariff could have a chilling effect on exports, foreign direct investment, and job growth in key sectors.

The announcement marks the latest in a series of diplomatic clashes between the two nations. Talks held between Trump and Ramaphosa in May reportedly ended with the U.S. president raising controversial and disputed claims, including those about farm violence in South Africa.

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry has called for “measured diplomacy,” urging all stakeholders not to escalate tensions as negotiations continue.