South Africa seeks new US trade deal after tariff hike, says presidency

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's presidency said on Thursday that the new U.S. tariffs underscore the need to negotiate a new bilateral trade deal with Washington to ensure long-term trade certainty.

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled global reciprocal tariffs on most goods imported to the United States on Wednesday.



Trump imposed a 30% rate on South Africa. "The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S.

, as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty," the Presidency said in a statement. The latest tariffs are in addition to the 25% imposed on all vehicles and car parts imported into the U.S.

, which will kick in from Thursday. South Africa's exports of vehicles and parts into the United States are estimated at over $2 billion and could be hard hit by the levies. "Whilst South Africa remains committed to a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, unilaterally imposed and punitive tariffs are a concern and serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity," the President's office added.

(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtmabo and Sharon Singleton).