South Africa to support businesses impacted by US tariffs

By Mark Ogagan

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa says his government will support local businesses affected by the United States’ tariff hikes. The 30% tariffs on exports to the US will only take effect in a week’s time.

The tariffs are expected to cost many jobs if the government fails to secure a trade deal with the US before the deadline.

Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, Ramaphosa said intensive trade negotiations with the US are currently under way.

“Our task is to negotiate as strongly and as hard as we can with the United States, but at the same time, we are saying to our companies that we are going to come up with supportive measures which will lessen the blow to our companies. Our objective really is to save jobs. We want to preserve the jobs of those companies that are going to be adversely affected.”