South Africa Seeks Tariff Relief in Upcoming U.S. Trade Talks

South Africa has dispatched officials to the United States to prepare for formal trade negotiations aimed at reversing steep tariffs, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday. The move follows months of unsuccessful attempts to reach a deal with the Trump administration, which imposed a 30% tariff on South African imports last month. Ramaphosa told parliament, “The Presidency and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition have sent representatives ... who are preparing for the further formal negotiations with the United States government, which should be taking place in just a few days.” The delegation is expected to meet with members of the U.S. administration, lawmakers, and business leaders in New York and Washington, as Pretoria seeks to ease trade tensions and restore economic cooperation.