South Africa pushes for tariff negotiations with US despite silence from Washington

SOUTH Africa’s government has reiterated its commitment to secure a favourable tariff deal with the United States, despite a conspicuous lack of communication from Washington D.C.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

The looming potential of a 30% levy on South African exports has sparked concern as businesses brace for what could significantly impact trade relations between the two nations.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) on Tuesday said negotiations remained the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table. The dtic Minister Parks Tau said South Africa was not in a unique position as the US attempts to finalise negotiations with some 185 countries around the world. Tau said the government remained committed to the cause as it awaited substantive feedback from the US counterparts on the final status on its Framework deal.