South Africa continues tariff negotiation with U.S.

With a 30-percent tariff imposed by the United States set to take effect, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday pledged to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard the national interests. 

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- With a 30-percent tariff imposed by the United States set to take effect, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday pledged to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard the national interests.

According to a statement released by the presidency, South Africa will continue to negotiate with the United States regarding the 30 percent tariff, which is now expected to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Aug. 7.

The South African government has presented the U.S. side with a framework deal aimed at enhancing mutually beneficial trade and investment relations.

"All channels of communication remain open to engage with the United States, and our negotiators are ready, pending an invitation from the United States," the presidency said in the statement.

The presidency noted that the South African government is finalizing a package to support companies vulnerable to reciprocal tariffs, which includes several measures to assist firms, producers, and workers.

"South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests," said the presidency.

On Tuesday, the South African government acknowledged that "the intersection of geopolitical, domestic and trade issues" defines the current impasse between the two sides.

Relations between South Africa and the United States have taken a downturn since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January.

Trump indicated that he may skip the Group of 20 Summit, which will be held in November in Johannesburg, the largest city and economic hub of South Africa.■