READ: Trump sends tariff letter to Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says diplomatic efforts are continuing to secure a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States.
This follows Washington's decision to impose a 30% tariff on South African exports.
South Africa was among more than a dozen trading partners targeted on Monday.
President Donald Trump posted the letter he sent to Ramaphosa on his Truth Social platform, in which he claimed that the relationship with South Africa had been far from reciprocal.
U.S. President Trump has posted this letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he explains that South Africa will be charged a tariff of 30% starting on August 1st on any and all products sent to the United States. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/DlMKKJAlzz
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) July 7, 2025
He said the tariff is still far less than what is needed to eliminate a trade deficit, labelling it a "major threat” to US national security.
He added that there will be no duties if South Africa or companies in the country shift to manufacturing products within the US.
Letters were also sent to key allies. Japan and South Korea were slapped with 25 per cent tariffs on their goods.
However, the US leader has left the door open to extending his new August deadline for trade negotiations.
President Ramaphosa, who had been attending the BRICS summit in Brazil, said he has noted the correspondence.
He has maintained, in a statement, that the average tariff on goods entering South Africa stands at 7.6% - adding that 77% of US imports are tariff-free.
"This contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. Accordingly, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data.
"We welcome the commitment by the US government that the 30% tariff is subject to modification at the back of the conclusion of our negotiations with the United States," said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has instructed South Africa's negotiating team to urgently engage with the US based on a framework deal that was submitted in May.
He said the proposal addresses concerns initially raised by the US, including South Africa's supposed trade surplus and claims of unfair trade practices.
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