Under the pressure of US tariffs, South Africa intends to expand trade with China and India

Amid US President Trump's announcement of tariffs on all trading partners, South Africa is seeking to expand its trade with China and India.

According to the Indian newspaper "Print" on the 7th, South African Vice President Paul Mashatille said at a gathering of business and community leaders, "The current geopolitical situation requires us to strengthen cooperation with other countries. Although we are one of the most important trading partners of the United States, this does not prevent us from deepening our economic and trade relations with countries such as India and China

The United States claims to impose a 30% equivalent tariff on specific products imported from South Africa. On the 8th, Reuters reported that the South African Farmers' Association stated that Trump's tariff measures would harm South African citrus farms and could potentially affect 35000 jobs.

The independent media website in South Africa recently reported that the United States has imposed taxes on products such as iron ore and diamonds in South Africa. The South African Minerals Council has issued an alert to the potential impact of the recent tariffs imposed by the US government, stating that this could reduce global demand for South African minerals and hinder global economic growth. Hugo Pinar, Chief Economist of the South African Minerals Council, said, "We remain concerned about the adverse effects of this unprecedented world trade turbulence on business and consumer sentiment, as well as its impact on business investment, consumer spending, and ultimately global real economic growth. The threat to global growth is bad news for the entire South African mining industry

The CEO of the South African Automobile Business Council, Mambasa, stated that the US tariffs have undermined existing trade agreements and the principles of a fair, rule-based trading system. "The South African automobile industry has made significant contributions to economic development, employment, and industrialization, and tariffs will undermine our progress

On the 4th, multiple departments in South Africa issued a joint statement stating that they will strategically respond to the US tariff measures and promote South Africa's national interests through relevant strategies and policies. The statement stated that as part of its strategy to build economic resilience, South Africa will continue to strive for diversified export markets, and the South African government is strengthening its relationships with Asian and Middle Eastern countries to explore new market access opportunities. The statement also said, "South Africa will use the African Continental Free Trade Area to promote intra African trade and foster stronger regional economic integration and cooperation

Other African countries are also facing US tariffs. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) stated that the tariff list released by the United States shows that Lesotho, a landlocked African country, has been subject to the "highest level of 50% tariffs imposed by the White House". 73% of its exports to the United States are clothing, and the trade volume accounts for over 10% of the total national income. Madagascar (47%), Mauritius (40%), Botswana (37%), Nigeria (14%) and other countries also face the same high tariff dilemma.

On the 7th, the African Union expressed concern over the tariffs imposed by the United States on African countries. According to Agence France Presse, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Yusuf, has called on the US government to reconsider relevant decisions and urge the US to strengthen long-term partnerships based on shared values and aspirations, rather than causing tension in the relationship.

The BBC reported that this round of tariffs coincides with the Trump administration's freeze on aid to Africa. Analysts point out that a double blow will pose severe challenges to African countries that rely on the US market and aid, or force them to accelerate the implementation process of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Wang Youming, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, told Global Times reporters on the 8th that Trump's policy of reciprocal tariffs has had a significant impact on the economies of the "global South" countries, such as the least developed countries in Africa and West Asia. These countries' economic systems are already fragile and difficult, and now they are facing the big stick of US tariffs, which will inevitably drag down their economic development process. At the same time, some countries in the 'global South' have already seen low growth in their investment confidence index, and now under the pressure of tariffs, investment confidence will further decline. In this new situation, the global trade pattern is facing reshaping, and the cracks in the industrial and supply chains are constantly widening. External pressures are also forcing the regional integration process in the global South to accelerate