Trump's tariffs are rattling through the SA economy

JSE-listed trade solutions group Santova has provided the first view into how the US administration under President Donald Trump’s sweeping plan to impose tariffs on most countries is impacting South Africa.

- Hilton Tarrant

These see a 30% tariff imposed on imports from SA and an effective rate of 47% on Chinese goods entering the US from August.

It says, matter-of-factly, that “as a consequence” of the US-imposed tariffs, “almost all imports from SA and China [to the US] have ceased”.

These were profound decisions with profound consequences, and many companies saw any semblance of an order book evaporate overnight as imported goods suddenly became 30% pricier.

Essentially, Santova brokers shipping deals for clients across the globe (with offices across Asia, Europe, the UK and the US).

It says: “We have witnessed an immediate impact on the agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors.

“It is within these sectors that wine, fruit, processed goods critical minerals like platinum and manganese, auto parts, textiles and other niche exports have been adversely impacted.