By 
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the imposed punitive tariffs on South Africa by the United States of America, saying they serve as a stumble block to progress.
The U.S imposed 30% reciprocal tariffs on South Africa on its goods and services exported to America. Though disheartening, Ramaphosa is hopeful to negotiate with the US to restore relations between the countries.
“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 US, as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa has been getting a lot of heat from the Trump administration resulting from the alleged white genocide and land grabs from Afrikaner farmers, the United States’ President Donald Trump has since signed executives orders including that of withdrawing US aid, which resulted in thousands of jobs being lost.
Though relations between the two countries are strained, President Ramaphosa remains optimistic in resolving matters between the countries.
