S. Africa urges balanced talks

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against the United States' decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on South African imports, calling it an inaccurate reflection of existing trade dynamics.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the tariff hike does not align with available trade data. South Africa's average tariff on imports is 7.6 percent, he said, and 77 percent of US goods enter the South African market duty-free.

The new tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on Monday, are set to take effect on Aug 1. In a letter to Ramaphosa, Trump said the measure addresses what he called a long-standing trade imbalance, citing South Africa's "tariff and nontariff policies and trade barriers".

Ramaphosa said South Africa remains open to talks, though its negotiating team has yet to receive details of a reported US template for engaging sub-Saharan Africa on trade.

He welcomed Washington's indication that the tariffs could still be revised and said diplomatic efforts to reach a "more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship" would continue.

Ramaphosa also urged trade officials and local businesses to accelerate efforts to diversify and strengthen resilience in global supply chains — citing a rapidly evolving international trade environment.