Ramaphosa dispatches delegation to US over tariffs on SA Imports
South Africa Wields Mineral Wealth in High-Stakes US Trade Talks
Elohim Nyame 
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a government delegation has been sent to the United States to lay the groundwork for trade talks following Washington’s decision to impose steep new tariffs on South African goods.
Addressing parliament on Monday, President Ramaphosa confirmed that the officials will engage with American policymakers, lawmakers, and business leaders in both New York and Washington. The discussions will centre on the 30% tariffs recently slapped on South African imports, a move that has raised concerns over potential damage to the country’s trade relations and export revenues.
Ramaphosa stressed that the talks would highlight South Africa’s critical minerals as its strongest bargaining chip. The country is among the world’s leading producers of platinum, manganese, and chrome — all vital for industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to renewable energy.
“We believe our mineral wealth places us in a strong position to negotiate fairly and protect South Africa’s economic interests,” the president told lawmakers.
The new tariffs, introduced by the United States earlier this month, are expected to affect a broad range of South African exports. Analysts warn that the measures could strain trade ties between Pretoria and Washington, especially under the framework of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which currently provides duty-free access for certain African goods.
The outcome of the talks could prove decisive in shaping future trade relations between the two nations, with South Africa hoping to roll back the tariffs while securing new opportunities in strategic sectors.
