US tariffs threaten South African industries, undermine livelihoods

Africanews (in English)

US tariffs threaten South African industries, undermine livelihoods  According to the Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) of Southern Africa, the new U.S. tariffs directly threaten around 35,000 jobs in the citrus sector. The United States is a major export market for South African citrus fruits  READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/04/09/us-tariffs-threaten-south-african-industries-undermine-livelihoods  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00As of Wednesday, South Africa's exports to the United States will be hit with a 31% duty.

00:08The country is a major export of agricultural goods to the U.S., with citrus fruits leading the way.

00:15Because of the tariffs, the Citrus Growers Association sees over 30,000 jobs are on the line.

00:21The duty means South African fruits will become less competitive, something that could force many small and medium-sized farms to close down.

00:34We do not know exactly the economic nationalism that is prompting Trump to go this particular route,

00:41but the benefits for now will actually be not felt by the United States. The consumers will have to buy more.

00:47The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, has warned that the impact of the tariffs extends far beyond agriculture,

00:55affecting mining, jewelry, automotive, chemical and textile manufacturing sectors.

01:01There is an incentive for the rest of the world to make sure that they actually bolster inter-trade amongst themselves.

01:11Here in Africa, where we are standing at the moment, we're talking about the African continent of free trade area

01:16that should enhance trade amongst African countries.

01:20We have struggled up to now. Trade between African countries hasn't even reached 20%.

01:25So maybe President Trump, by being economically nationalistic, is actually giving us incentive as Africa to try to make sure that we trade more.

01:34The tariffs went into force on Wednesday, rattling stock markets around the world.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended