In an executive order on Thursday, Trump slapped new tariff rates ranging from 10 to 41 on dozens of countries as he seeks to reshape global trade on more favourable terms for the US. The order said the higher import duty rates would take effect in seven days.
South Africa has tried for months to negotiate a deal with Washington and offered to buy US liquefied natural gas and invest US3.3-billion in US industries in exchange for lower tariffs. But the effort was unsuccessful, even after Pretoria made a last-minute attempt to improve its offer.
Trade minister Parks Tau said the higher tariff was a threat to the countrys export capacity, particularly in key sectors such as automotive, agro-processing, steel and chemicals.
We are working with urgency and resolve to implement real, practical interventions that defend jobs and position South Africa competitively in a shifting global landscape, Tau said in a statement late on Thursday.
The US is South Africas second largest bilateral trading partner after China. South Africas top exports to the US include cars, iron and steel products, and citrus fruit.
