Trump's tariff threat rejected by South Africa

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned US President Donald Trump's threat of higher tariffs on BRICS nations, which has sparked a heated debate about the future of global trade and economic stability.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

At a recent summit in Rio de Janeiro, the 11-nation bloc, which includes South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India and China, criticised Trump's imposed tariffs.

In response, Trump accused the group of “anti-Americanism” and pledged an additional 10 percent tariff on their goods.

Ramaphosa said Trump’s efforts to “punish” the bloc were disappointing.

“BRICS does not seek to compete with any other power,’ Ramaphosa said on Monday.

“The bloc advocates for the emergence of various centres of power in the world,” he said.

Ramaphosa emphasised that the BRICS bloc’s goal is to promote cooperation and advance humanity's interests, not to compete with any particular country.

The potential impact of Trump's tariffs on South Africa’s economy is a major concern to many organisations representing workers.