JOHANNESBURG, July 1 – South Africa has formally requested more time to negotiate a trade agreement aimed at protecting its key export sectors from impending U.S. tariffs. The 90-day pause—granted after Washington’s decision to impose a 31% tariff back in April—is set to expire on July 9, leaving Pretoria in a race against time to avoid a damaging outcome.
In a statement released by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the South African government confirmed it has formally requested an extension to the deadline. The aim is to complete negotiations with the United States and develop a mutual agreement that could ease or eliminate the tariff burden on exports such as vehicles, steel, auto parts, aluminium, and citrus fruits.
The proposed tariffs stem from President Donald Trump’s global trade initiative built on “reciprocity.” While this policy has affected several countries, South Africa is among the few that received a temporary pause to allow for further dialogue.
Pretoria has put forward several proposals to ease tensions and show goodwill. One such offer includes committing to the purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from U.S. suppliers. In return, South African officials hope to win tariff exemptions or, at the very least, have the imposed rate capped at 10%—a considerably more manageable figure than the current 31%.
The trade department emphasized that these negotiations are not just about figures on paper—they directly impact thousands of South African workers. For instance, the local citrus industry, which exports a large volume of produce to the United States annually, could face the loss of up to 35,000 jobs if these tariffs are enforced as scheduled.
During a meeting in Luanda last week, South African officials engaged in talks with U.S. representatives, including Connie Hamilton, who serves as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa. During these discussions, South Africa was informed that the United States is in the process of developing a standardized model to guide future trade negotiations with African nations.
Given these developments, South Africa, along with other African nations, has urged Washington to consider extending the negotiation window. This additional time would allow countries to prepare their proposals based on the new guidelines being rolled out by the U.S. administration.
“In light of the changing framework and the shared interest in strengthening ties, we believe an extension is not only reasonable—it’s necessary,” the ministry stated in its update.
While the U.S. Trade Representative’s office has yet to issue a formal response, the lack of clarity has created anxiety among South African businesses, many of which rely heavily on exports to the American market. The uncertainty has put pressure on industry leaders to reassess their short-term strategies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a direct role in the ongoing trade discussions. During his trip to Washington in May, he presented South Africa’s initial trade proposal during a private meeting at the White House. The visit was not without controversy, as Trump brought up unfounded accusations of violence against white farmers in South Africa. Despite the tension, both parties reportedly continued constructive discussions behind closed doors.
South Africa’s Trade Minister, Parks Tau, has called for calm among the country’s industries, encouraging business leaders not to rush into decisions before the situation becomes clearer. Tau urged industries to remain strategically patient as the negotiations continue. “The government remains fully committed to using every diplomatic and economic channel available to find a solution that works for all parties involved.”
The relationship between South Africa and the United States has long been an important one. With the U.S. ranked as South Africa’s second-largest trade partner, after China, the stakes are high. Beyond industrial goods, agricultural products like fruit, wine, and nuts form a crucial part of the export portfolio.
In the face of rising uncertainty, businesses are starting to prepare for various scenarios. Some exporters are exploring opportunities in alternative markets, while others are investing in local processing to add value and absorb potential losses. In response, the government has committed to backing sectors most vulnerable to the impact of the tariffs.