Tariffs strike on Thursday

DEADLINE: 30% HIKE IN US COST OF SA EXPORTS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS WEEK

- Molefe Seeletsa

Claims that the United States has imposed a 30% tariff on South African exports due to its broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) policy have been denied by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

The tariffs on South African exports to the US are set to take effect on Thursday after the South African government failed to secure a trade agreement with the US ahead of President Donald Trump's deadline.

In response, government is preparing a support package for companies expected to be affected by the 30% tariffs.

Experts have warned that the automotive industry, as well as citrus farmers, will be the hardest hit by US tariffs.

The ANC's economic transformation committee held a media briefing on Saturday during the party's national executive committee meeting in Johannesburg to update the public.

Ramokgopa said there had been a focused discussion on the US tariffs, describing it as "spirited and robust".