South Africa to continue communicating with US over imported aluminium and steel tariffs

While speaking to reporters in Parliament on the outcomes of Wednesday’s (May 9, 2018) fortnightly cabinet meeting, Nomvula Mokonyane, Minister of Communications reported that Cabinet was disappointed at United States’ decision to not exempt South Africa from its imported aluminium and steel tariffs. She also said that the country would continue discussing the matter with the US to find a solution which would benefit both the countries, adding that South Africa had no intention in leveraging on its United Nations votes against the US’s wishes as a retaliatory act.

“The South African government will continue to engage with US authorities to find a mutually acceptable outcome. Cabinet also encourages domestic importers to continue to lobby US buyers to apply for product exemptions, as South African companies export niche products and semi-processed products for further processing in the US,” said Mokonyane.

Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry Minister also warned that the application of 10 per cent tariffs on imported aluminium and 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel could take a toll on South Africa’s local jobs and industries.

Moreover, according to the Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa exports a marginal amount of aluminium and steel to the US, which accounts less than 2 per cent of US imports. Hence, has no chance to pose a threat to US’s national security.