Overview

• An executive order under emergency economic powers and national-security authority takes effect August 7 and applies a 30% tariff on South African goods
• Lesotho’s anticipated 50% duty was reduced to 15%, and nations such as Kenya will see new levies of 10% while most others face 10–15%
• South Africa’s Reserve Bank governor cautioned that a 30% duty could eliminate around 100,000 jobs, particularly in agriculture and automotive manufacturing
• South African Trade Minister Parks Tau says a last-ditch $3.3 billion investment offer and natural gas purchase proposal went unanswered by U.S. negotiators
• The tariff announcement escalates pressure on the African Growth and Opportunity Act’s September renewal and signals a tougher U.S. trade stance toward the continent