SA moves to reverse US tariffs as SACU finalises joint offer to Washington

SOUTH Africa will rely on a collective South African Customs Union (SACU) tariff offer, together with its own direct negotiations, to reverse the 30% tariffs imposed by the United States in September, senior trade official Ambassador Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter told Parliament on Tuesday.

- BANELE GININDZA

MINISTER of Trade Tau emphasised the importance of the African economic integration and said significant momentum has already been recorded under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Mlumbi-Peter, the deputy director-general for trade in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), said South Africa has been in continued engagement with the US on an agreement that would establish reciprocal tariffs, with the primary objective of reducing the recently imposed duties.

"There are also discussions on a tariff offer. This will be a SACU offer given that South Africa is part of a customs union. So, SACU is finalizing that with a view to submit it as soon as possible," Mlumbi-Peter said.