The Presidential Special Envoy to North America Mcebisi Jonas says the world is facing unprecedented times, but there should not be despair.
He attended a seminar hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation in Johannesburg.
The world is on tenterhooks as the United States US prepares to roll out sweeping tariffs that may affect many countries on August 1.
Jonas says his role is to promote South Africas foreign policy.
"My role really, as presidential special envoy, is to advice on policy. I do engagements, but I think my main focus is building South Africas response to this reality and engaging with all the agencies of the state, but also engaging with all stakeholders in the private sector in civil society so that South Africans speak with one voice on these issues."