SA eyes diversification as jobs exodus looms over US import tariffs

Over 30 000 jobs likely to be impacted by the unilateral US tariffs on SA products

- BANELE GININDZA

ABOUT 30 000 jobs in various sectors are likely to be impacted by the unilateral 30% import tariffs to be imposed by the United States on South African products, which is set to come into effect before the end of this week.

This was announced on Monday as the government seeks to craft an export diversification strategy leaning heavily towards China's R20 billion market through the offered China-Africa Trade partnership and a special industrialisation memorandum of understanding exclusively with South Africa.

Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), confirmed that thousands of jobs were on the line in a variety of industries that export goods to the US market.

“We base this on the ongoing consultation that we have with all the sectors of the economy, from automotive to agriculture, and all the other sectors that are going to be affected, and at this stage, we are sitting at approximately 30 000 jobs that could be affected by this,” Hamilton said.