President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that South Africa has dispatched senior government officials to the United States to prepare for formal trade negotiations, following weeks of rising tensions and the imposition of steep US tariffs on South African imports.
Speaking before parliament on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the delegation – comprising representatives from The Presidency and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition – is currently in the US to engage with US President Donald Trump’s administration officials, lawmakers, and business leaders in New York and Washington.
The move follows Trump’s decision last month to impose a 30% tariff on South African goods, citing unresolved trade disagreements and what the White House has described as a lack of cooperation from Pretoria.
Months of Deadlock
South African officials say they had submitted multiple proposals to avert the tariff hike, including a revised trade deal proposal delivered a month ago, but received no formal response from Washington.
Ramaphosa told lawmakers that the tariff decision came “despite South Africa’s consistent efforts to negotiate in good faith.”
“We are preparing for further formal negotiations… which should be taking place in just a few days,” Ramaphosa said.
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has not confirmed the timing or scope of the negotiations.
Focus on Critical Minerals and Value Addition
Ramaphosa noted that South Africa’s critical mineral reserves – including rare earth elements, platinum, and lithium – are central to its negotiating strategy.
However, he emphasised that the country seeks value-added trade, rather than simply exporting raw materials.
“Even as we may well want to export the critical minerals, we want them to leave the shores of South Africa as finished products,” Ramaphosa said.
This position aligns with South Africa’s broader industrial strategy, which aims to boost local beneficiation and job creation through downstream processing.
Wider Diplomatic Tensions
The trade dispute comes amid growing diplomatic strain between the two countries.
The relationship has been tested by President Trump’s controversial refugee programme for white South Africans, based on unsubstantiated claims of racial persecution – an initiative strongly opposed by the South African government.
In addition, US officials have criticised South Africa’s affirmative action laws, which are intended to redress the legacy of apartheid.
These criticisms may become part of the broader negotiation framework, according to South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who said last month that addressing US concerns on such issues might become necessary to secure tariff relief.
Outlook
As negotiations loom, both sides face political and economic pressures. South Africa is looking to preserve its export competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, while the Trump administration continues to use tariffs as a negotiating tool in its broader “America First” trade policy.
Whether the current round of talks will lead to a resolution remains to be seen …
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