Speaking at the  National Maize Producers' Organisation agricultural exhibition in Bothaville, Steenhuisen said that as agriculture contributes directly to the country’s food security, the 49 Afrikaners who have sought refuge in the USA are beyond his control, but some farmers have expressed willingness to stay in the country.

“This new tariff regime imposed by the United States of 30% will be terribly harmful, but we are fortunate to have seen a 90-day pause in that, which is allowing us to continue as we were before.

In this interim, the government has not been sitting on its laurels. We have been working diligently under the stewardship of the Minister of Trade and Industry, along with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of International Trade, and the Presidency, to put together a package deal which we will be able to offer the Americans.”

--SABC--