Ramaphosa vows to assist companies impacted by tariff hikes – SABC Information

President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to support South African businesses that the United States imposed tariff hikes will affect.

The 30% tariffs on exports to the US will only take effect in a week’s time.

The tariffs are expected to cost the many jobs if government fails to secure a trade deal with the US before the deadline.

Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said intensive trade negotiations with the US are currently under way.

“Our task is to negotiate as strongly and as hard as we can with the United States but at the same time, we are saying to our companies that we are going to come up with supportive measures which will lessen the blow to our companies. Our objective really is to save jobs. We want to preserve the jobs of those companies that are going to be adversely affected.”

US tariff negotiations continue – Ramaphosa: 

[WATCH]
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that intense negotiations are currently taking place with Washington as the US finalises its tariffs. pic.twitter.com/REBsXLwyry

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 1, 2025