Latest news with #BlackEconomicEmpowerment
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
South Africa readying last-minute trade offer to avoid US tariff
South Africa is preparing a last-minute 'enhanced' trade proposal at the urging of US officials in hopes of avoiding a 30% tariff which kicks in on Friday, its trade minister said on Thursday. South Africa initially submitted a proposed trade deal to President Donald Trump 's administration in May and revised it in June, but received no response. 'We're having to navigate a last-minute proposal that's enhanced from the proposal that we had initially given,' Trade Minister Parks Tau said on South Africa's 702 radio, adding: 'And to tell the truth, it's wait and see.' The countdown to the August 1 deadline has stirred fear and uncertainty in South Africa, where the central bank governor has estimated a 30% US tariff would put 100,000 jobs at risk, with the agriculture and automotive sectors hit hardest. The US is South Africa's second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. South Africa exports cars, some manufactured goods, citrus fruits and wine to the US. Tau said South Africans spoke to US officials on Wednesday night, both at the level of Washington's embassy in Pretoria and also the US trade representative, but uncertainty lingered on what would happen as the tariff deadline approached. 'They (said) they would encourage us to resubmit our proposal, possibly an enhanced proposal, to the United States government,' Tau said. A top South African diplomat said on Tuesday that US demands on domestic affirmative-action policies were complicating efforts to secure a trade deal. Bilateral relations have been strained by South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies to address the legacy of centuries of racial inequality and its genocide case against Israel at the World Court, which Israel and the US vehemently oppose.
First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
South Africa: Trump To Skip Ramaphosa's G20 Summit Amid Tariff Tensions? Firstpost Africa
South Africa: Trump To Skip Ramaphosa's G20 Summit Amid Tariff Tensions? | Firstpost Africa | N18G As the August 1 deadline looms, South Africa faces a formidable challenge, with US President Donald Trump's proposed 30% tariff threatening to devastate its economy. The US, South Africa's second-largest trading partner, is poised to impose tariffs that could lead to an estimated 100,000 job losses, with the agriculture and automotive sectors bearing the brunt. Trump's hardened stance stems from a list of grievances, including accusations of persecution and killings of white citizens, concerns over land expropriation laws aimed at redressing apartheid-era inequalities, and criticism of South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment policies. Adding to the diplomatic chill is South Africa's genocide case against Israel, a close US ally. With President Trump signalling he may even skip the G20 Summit in South Africa, the African nation scrambles for a last-minute trade deal, its economic future hanging precariously in the balance. See More
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Donald Trump hints at skipping G20 summit in South Africa
US President Donald Trump has hinted that he may not attend the G20 leaders' summit in South Africa this November, citing continued dissatisfaction with the country's domestic and international policies. 'I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday. The summit, scheduled to take place under South Africa's G20 presidency, is expected to be a key global diplomatic event. However, Trump's comments add fuel to already tense US-South Africa relations. Trump's criticism comes on the back of several contentious issues: South Africa's land reform policies : Trump has previously accused South Africa of land seizures and 'white genocide,' though these claims have been widely discredited. : Trump has previously accused South Africa of land seizures and 'white genocide,' though these claims have been widely discredited. International litigation : The US has opposed South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) , where Pretoria accused Israel of genocide over its actions in Gaza. : The US has opposed South Africa's case at the , where Pretoria accused over its actions in Gaza. Economic friction : In February, Trump signed an executive order slashing US financial aid to South Africa , criticising the country's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws as discriminatory. : In February, Trump signed an executive order slashing , criticising the country's laws as discriminatory. Diplomatic boycotts: Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting hosted in South Africa. The ongoing Gaza conflict – which has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions, and led to accusations of war crimes – has further divided Washington and Pretoria. South Africa continues to press its genocide case against Israel, a close US ally. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Trump's accusations, defending the country's land and economic policies as legitimate redress of historical injustices. He has urged Trump to attend the G20 summit, framing it as an opportunity for dialogue and diplomacy. If Trump follows through on skipping the summit, it would mark a major diplomatic snub, especially given South Africa's role as the current G20 chair. It remains to be seen who the US might send in his place. Analysts suggest Trump's decision could further deepen geopolitical divisions within the G20 and complicate discussions on global cooperation – particularly on issues of trade, security, and climate change. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Have lot of problems with South Africa: Trump says may skip Johannesburg G20 Summit
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he might skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in South Africa in November and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies."I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force IT'S IMPORTANTTrump has taken issue with South African domestic and foreign policies - ranging from its land policy to its case accusing Israel of genocide in the US ally's war in Gaza. Trump signed an executive order in February to cut US financial assistance to South Africa. In May, Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide and land seizures during a White House this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa, which has the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November TIESWashington, both under Trump and former President Joe Biden, has complained about the case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, where it accused Israel of genocide over its military assault in assault has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and also led to accusations of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations and casts its Gaza offensive as self-defence after a deadly October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and in which over 250 were taken relations between the US and South Africa have also been strained under Trump due to South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies to address the legacy of centuries of racial who has urged Trump to attend the G20 summit, rejects Washington's claims that South Africa will use its land policy to arbitrarily confiscate white-owned land.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#G20#United States of America#Donald Trump
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Trump says he may skip G20 summit in South Africa, cites policy disapproval
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he might skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in South Africa in November and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies. Key quote 'I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Why it's important Trump has taken issue with South African domestic and foreign policies - ranging from its land policy to its case accusing Israel of genocide in the U.S. ally's war in Gaza. Trump signed an executive order in February to cut U.S. financial assistance to South Africa. In May, Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide and land seizures during a White House meeting. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa, which has the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025. Tense ties Washington, both under Trump and former President Joe Biden, has complained about the case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, where it accused Israel of genocide over its military assault in Gaza. Israel's assault has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and also led to accusations of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations and casts its Gaza offensive as self-defense after a deadly October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and in which over 250 were taken hostage. Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and South Africa have also been strained under Trump due to South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies to address the legacy of centuries of racial inequality. Ramaphosa, who has urged Trump to attend the G20 summit, rejects Washington's claims that South Africa will use its land policy to arbitrarily confiscate white-owned land.
