Ramaphosa hopeful about US tariff talks

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa believes his administration will still be able to find a way out of the 30% tariffs that US President Donald Trump implemented yesterday, which will become effective within the next seven days.

- BONGANI HANS

If South Africa fails to convince Trump, the government is finalising a package to support local companies affected by the tariffs.

“The package consists of a number of measures to assist companies, producers and workers,” he said.

The details of the measures will be announced in due course.

Under Trump’s Executive Order published late this week, the products affected by the tariffs when exported to the US market include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap and energy products.

Addressing the media after the inauguration of Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister yesterday, Ramaphosa said the seven days were the window period for the continuation of the engagements with the US.

He stated that South Africa was not the worst affected by Trump’s tariffs, although some countries fared slightly better. He said his government was in the process of holding discussions with the United States, as some local companies were dealing with US customers.