South Africa Sends Envoys to U.S. Over 30% Tariffs

Ramaphosa pushes for trade relief amid rising tensions with Washington

PRETORIA, Sept. 10, 2025 — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the dispatch of a high level delegation to the United States, as Pretoria seeks urgent relief from new 30% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

The envoys will hold meetings in both New York and Washington, engaging with U.S. lawmakers, trade officials, and key business leaders in an effort to renegotiate terms and protect South Africa’s access to the American market.

“This mission reflects the importance of our economic partnership with the United States,” Ramaphosa said in a press briefing Tuesday. “We are committed to resolving this through diplomacy and dialogue.”

Tariffs Hit Key Sectors

The 30% tariffs, which took effect on August 7, have already impacted South Africa’s automotive and agricultural exports, which make up a significant portion of its bilateral trade with the U.S.

In 2023, U.S.–South Africa trade totalled $17.64 billion, making the United States South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China.

The sharp increase in tariffs has raised fears of:

Job losses in export dependent industries
Declining investor confidence
Disruption to supply chains involving major U.S. corporations

Pretoria’s Revised Trade Proposal

In a bid to de-escalate the situation, South Africa submitted a revised trade proposal to the U.S. on August 12, just days after the tariffs were implemented.

The proposal, according to government sources, includes:

Enhanced regulatory alignment on key products
New bilateral cooperation mechanisms on trade compliance
Expanded market access for American companies in South Africa

So far, U.S. officials have not publicly responded, but South African negotiators hope this week’s talks can restart stalled discussions and avoid further trade fallout.

Strategic Trade Relationship at Risk

The tension over tariffs comes at a delicate time in U.S.-Africa relations. South Africa has traditionally enjoyed preferential trade terms under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), but recent shifts in U.S. trade policy have introduced more protectionist measures, particularly against countries running trade surpluses.

Analysts say the move may be part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reassess trade imbalances, but warn that it could backfire.

“This kind of unilateral tariff hike undermines long-standing trade partnerships and opens the door for China and other actors to fill the gap,” said one regional economist.

What Comes Next?

The South African delegation is expected to remain in the U.S. for the next 10 days. If talks fail, officials in Pretoria say they will explore regional trade diversification strategies, including closer integration with BRICS partners and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) members.