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US Tariffs – SA Scrambles

South Africa is preparing a last-minute “enhanced” trade proposal at the urging of U.S. officials in hopes of avoiding a 30% tariff which kicks in on Friday, its trade minister said on Thursday.

South Africa initially submitted a proposed trade deal to Trump’s administration in May and revised it in June, but received no response.

“We’re having to navigate a last-minute proposal that’s enhanced from the proposal that we had initially given,” Trade Minister Parks Tau said on South Africa’s 702 radio, adding: “And to tell the truth, it’s wait and see.”

The countdown to the August 1 deadline has stirred fear and uncertainty in South Africa, where the central bank governor has estimated a 30% U.S. tariff would put 100,000 jobs at risk, with the agriculture and automotive sectors hit hardest.

The U.S. is South Africa’s second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. South Africa exports cars, some manufactured goods, citrus fruits and wine to the U.S.

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