Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, has imposed a 10% tariff on all countries, effective from April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
In a statement, the White House, said on Tuesday this week,Trump will impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. All other countries will continue to be subject to the original 10% tariff baseline, effective from April 9, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
The United States imposes a 2.5% tariff on passenger vehicle imports (with internal combustion engines), while the European Union and India.
Trump said in the same statement, “for decades, South Africa has imposed animal health restrictions that are not scientifically justified on U.S. pork products, permitting a very limited list of U.S. pork exports to enter South Africa. South Africa also heavily restricts U.S. poultry exports through high tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and unjustified animal health restrictions. These barriers have contributed to a 78% decline in U.S. poultry exports to South Africa, from $89 million in 2019 to $19 million 2024.”
Vincent Magwenya, the Presidential Spokesman, said in a statement, SA has noted with concern the newly imposed tariffs on South African exports to the United States of America.
“Whilst South Africa remains committed to a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, unilaterally imposed and punitive tariffs are a concern and serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity.
The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S, as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty” he said.
Picture: Brookings Institute