South African officials say planned US tariffs could put 30,000 jobs at risk

South Africa’s exchange and enterprise minister on Monday talked about that the 30 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States could put tens of hundreds of jobs at risk.

“We’ve primarily primarily based this on the ongoing consultations that now we acquire with the entire sectors of the economy, from car, agriculture and the entire other sectors that are going to be impacted,” talked about Simphiwe Hamilton, Director-Common of the Division of Trade, Trade and Opponents.

“At this stage we’re sitting at approximately 30,000 jobs that could be tormented by this, if it were to be mismanaged in any manner,” he talked about.

Closing Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive snarl putting unusual tariff rates on dozens of nations, hours earlier than the 1 August gash-off date he had set up for offers to be made.

While some nations received modified tariff rates, South Africa’s remained at the 30 per cent previously proposed, putting it within the highest 5 perfect levies imposed by Trump on any nation.

The US is South Africa’s third-greatest shopping and selling accomplice (7.5 per cent of total exports), with China second at 11 per cent and the European Union the excellent at 17 per cent.

South Africa’s agricultural and car industries are expected to be among the toughest hit.

The nation is already grappling with stubbornly excessive unemployment rates. The reliable rate became as soon as 32.9 per cent within the first quarter of 2025 in line with StatsSA, the national statistical agency.

Meanwhile, the South African authorities is within the formula of drafting measures to abet exporters hit by the unusual levy.

It talked about there will more than likely be a multilateral response to the tariffs, including ongoing diplomatic talks with Washington, outreach to other shopping and selling partners, and measures to abet native companies.

The tariffs reach into carry out on 8 August.

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