As published by Ntombi Nkosi in the African Times
President Cyril Ramaphosa has broken his silence following the United States’ announcement of sweeping 30% tariffs on South African goods, stating that the government is engaging with Washington and has submitted a Framework Deal to avoid further economic damage.
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In a statement issued on Friday by Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa described the reciprocal tariffs as “concerning,” noting that South Africa is among several countries affected by the new U.S. trade regime under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect seven days after 1 August 2025, though certain categories—such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, copper, and energy products—will remain exempt.
“Government has been engaging the United States and submitted a Framework Deal that aims to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations,” the president stated.
“All diplomatic channels remain open, and our negotiators are ready pending an invitation from the U.S.”
President Ramaphosa’s remarks come after a week of mounting pressure from opposition parties, business leaders, and agricultural associations, who have accused his administration of failing to act decisively as the U.S. confirmed its intention to slap high duties on South African exports.
While Pretoria attempts to salvage the situation through quiet diplomacy, political opponents say the damage has already been done. The tariffs are expected to hurt key export sectors such as citrus, wine, vehicle components, and clothing, and could result in the loss of thousands of jobs, particularly in rural provinces.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a scathing attack on the Ramaphosa administration. In a follow-up statement on Friday, Toby Chance MP, the DA’s shadow trade minister, said the president’s comments were “vague and too late.”
“This is a textbook case of policy failure and diplomatic negligence. The president’s passive response will do little to help farmers, manufacturers and workers who will be hit hard in just a few days,” Chance said. “The Framework Deal is already too late. Countries like Botswana and Mexico used strategic diplomacy to negotiate either reduced tariffs or postponements. We did not.”
The DA reiterated its call for: a career diplomat to be appointed as Ambassador to Washington, the replacement of outdated BEE policies with flexible equity-based models that don’t deter international investors, and urgent expansion into Asian and Middle Eastern markets to diversify export destinations.
Ryan Smith MP, the DA’s spokesperson on international relations, added:
“The ANC’s obsession with control and cadre deployment has weakened our ability to function on the world stage. The president now wants to act as if this is a sudden development, but his ministers were warned months ago.”
Ramaphosa said that the government is finalising a support package for companies most affected by the U.S. tariffs. While details remain scant, he promised “a number of measures” aimed at assisting vulnerable exporters, producers, and workers.
“It is important that as a country we keep our people at work and our companies producing high-quality products destined for many parts of the world,” the statement read.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has also launched an Export Support Desk to help businesses understand and navigate the tariff impact. The desk will provide real-time updates, legal guidance, and access to alternative trade routes, and will publish details on the dtic’s website in the coming days.
Trade officials confirmed that goods already in transit before 07 August 2025 will be exempt from the new duties, provided they are entered for consumption before 05 October 2025.
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Trade economist Dr. Nomfundo Tshabalala told journalists that the president must now lead from the front and not leave the issue in the hands of “sleepwalking ministers.”
“This is an executive-level crisis. South Africa’s export identity is under threat. We’re already dealing with sluggish GDP growth, youth unemployment, and power constraints—this tariff could be a knockout punch if handled poorly,” Tshabalala warned.
She cautioned that Ramaphosa’s diplomatic tone may be ineffective against what she described as Washington’s increasingly assertive trade stance, particularly under the Trump-era trade architecture that remains in effect.
FruitSA, Citrus Growers Association, and AgriSA released a joint statement welcoming the president’s intervention but demanded “immediate consultation” with affected industries.
“The announcement of a support package is encouraging, but we need real action, not promises. Our export calendars cannot wait for diplomatic formalities,” the statement read.
They also called for more transparent communication, direct support for logistics costs, and accelerated access to alternative markets in India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Ramaphosa’s leadership within the Government of National Unity (GNU) is under intense scrutiny, as coalition partners accuse ANC ministers of arrogance and mismanagement.
“The ANC’s failure to lead in this space has exposed the entire GNU to global embarrassment,” said an insider from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), speaking anonymously. “Either the president steps up, or someone else must.”
With the tariff deadline less than a week away, the eyes of the business community, labour unions, and international investors are now squarely on the Union Buildings.
Whether President Ramaphosa’s belated intervention will calm markets or open new dialogue with Washington remains to be seen—but for many, the time for caution has long passed.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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