US President, Donald Trump, announced a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US effective from August 1.

Steenhuisen says there is still time to negotiate before the tariffs kick in.

He was delivering his department’s 7,6 billion Rand ($426.222) Budget Vote in Parliament.

“Whilst we can breathe a sigh of relief that this tariff did not come into effect as it was due to tomorrow, it does give us an opportunity to urgently use the next few weeks to try and negotiate a way forward to prevent this. Whilst not explicit, the announcement would signal the end of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives SA duty free access to the US for more than 6 000 products, including goods and automobiles, agricultural and textile industries. The agriculture sector remains particularly exposed in the areas of citrus, wine, nuts and table grapes. Now more than ever, it highlights the need for urgent reform in SA,” says Steenhuisen.

--SABC--