South Africa Denies Posing Any Threat to U.S.
(MENAFN) South Africa on Monday emphasized it does not pose any threat to the United States’ economy or national security.
According to a Foreign Ministry statement, South Africa is focused on forging agreements that promote value addition and industrial growth, rather than perpetuating outdated, extractive trade models reminiscent of the colonial era that limit the country’s ability to fully capitalize on its mineral resources.
The statement clarified that South African exports do not compete with American producers but instead complement them by supplying essential industrial materials and off-season agricultural products that fill market gaps without displacing US-made goods.
Beyond trade, South Africa stands as a significant investor in the US economy, with its companies supporting American jobs. At the same time, more than 600 US companies operating in South Africa contribute to industrial development and job creation there, the statement noted.
It also pointed out that typical US-South Africa trade deficit figures fail to account for the US’s surplus in services and overlook the complementary nature of the bilateral trade and investment relationship.
“Our goal is to preserve and grow these mutually beneficial relationships,” the statement added.
Starting August 8, the US — South Africa’s third-largest trading partner after the European Union and China — will begin imposing unilateral tariffs of 30% on South African imports.
Highlighting the evolving global trade landscape and the need for greater resilience, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned, “complacency will not serve” South Africa’s interests.
“As government, we remain committed to ongoing engagement with the US and building trade resilience,” he affirmed in a statement.
Ramaphosa urged the nation to brace for “increasingly turbulent headwinds” in international trade and adapt accordingly.
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