"We are extending ourselves from the negotiating team from the US" - SA Government reacts to Trump 30% tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump has posted a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Truth Social informing him that starting August 1st, South Africa would be charged a tariff of 30% on any and all products sent into the United States. Trump also warned in the letter that were South Africa to raise tariffs on the United States, that this figure would be added on top of the 30%. Trump has again cited trade deficits with countries as the main reason for the imposition of this tariff. He earlier also threatened countries that align themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS with an additional 10% tariff on exports to the United States. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports that the current U.S. good trade deficit with South Africa was $8.8 billion in 2024. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) spokesperson, Kaamil Alli