South Africa insisted Monday it is “not anti-American” and still hopes to finalise a trade accord with Washington, countering U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to slap a 10 % tariff on BRICS-aligned nations.
Speaking after Trump accused Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa of pursuing “anti-American” policies at a weekend summit in Brazil, trade-ministry spokesman Kaamil Alli said Pretoria’s dialogue with U.S. negotiators remains “constructive and fruitful.”
“We await formal communication from the United States on any tariff changes, but we remain committed to deepening trade cooperation,” Alli told reporters. Talks have been under way since President Cyril Ramaphosa met Trump at the White House in May.
Trump’s proposed levy targets imports from countries he says benefit unfairly from U.S. market access while aligning politically with Washington’s rivals. South Africa, however, stressed that its economic strategy is “pro-engagement, not anti-American,” and reiterated its desire for a mutually beneficial deal.