The departments of trade, industry competition as well as international relations say they will continue to use available diplomatic channels to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade deal with the US.
In a joint briefing on Monday in Germiston, the minister of international relations Ronald Lamola said the SA government had been engaging the US at various levels with a view to ensure predictability in trade. However, the US decided to impose a 30 unilateral tariff on SA despite these efforts.
SA faces the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, and from August 7 products exported to the US will have the 30 tariff. Countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe were hit with a 15 tariff.
It is unfortunate that this government's efforts in resetting the relationship with the US has been undermined by some actors within South African society, Lamola said.
Lamola added the unilateral tariffs have been implemented despite SA's submission of a comprehensive and ambitious Framework Deal in May, aimed at addressing the US trade deficit. The US is South Africas third biggest trading partner, with the European Union and China being the first and second largest trading partners.