South African trade officials in Washington for tariff talks and efforts to ease tensions

Key Points

• South African trade officials are in Washington negotiating to lift heavy tariffs imposed by the U.S. and to mend strained relations, with discussions described as "cordial and constructive."
• President Trump has criticized South Africa's stance on international issues, which has contributed to the deterioration of relations, including the expulsion of South Africa's ambassador to the U.S.
• South Africa's government is attempting to prevent a 30% tariff on imports from the U.S., which could lead to tens of thousands of job losses in an economy already struggling with high unemployment.
• The U.S. is a key economic partner for South Africa, with a bilateral trade volume of $15.1 billion projected for 2024, indicating the importance of ongoing discussions.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African trade officials have held talks with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, reports said Friday as Africa’s largest economy looks to repair strained relations and negotiate the lifting of heavy tariffs imposed by the United States.

South Africa's department of trade, industry and competition said the country's Trade Minister Parks Tau and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held “cordial and constructive” talks following three days of intense discussions by senior officials from both countries.

There was no immediate word on the outcome of the talks. The South African ministry said they established a “roadmap” that will be prioritized in future talks.

Relations between South Africa and the U.S. have deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office earlier this year. Since then, the U.S. has frozen key development aid to South Africa and expelled Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, after he publicly criticized the Trump administration and its policies.

Trump has also criticized South Africa’s stance over the Israel-Hamas war, which has seen the country take Israel to the International Court of Justice and accuse it of committing genocide in Gaza.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’ s government has unsuccessfully tried to preempt Washington's 30% levy on South African imports. The tariff rate is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time when South Africa’s economy is barely growing and unemployment is stuck above 30%.

In contrast to Ramaphosa’s tense moment in May in the Oval Office, when he was confronted with baseless claims of the systematic killing of white farmers in South Africa, Tau complimented Ambassador Greer for his availability and readiness to interact with the South African team in a “constructive manner.”

The U.S. remains one of South Africa’s most important economic and investment partners, with $15.1 billion in bilateral trade in 2024. South Africa’s exports to the U.S. totaled $8.2 billion in 2024, while U.S. imports into South Africa totaled $6.9 billion, according to the trade ministry.