South African civil rights organization AfriForum has criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa and the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU) over an impending 30% tariff on exports to the United States, set to take effect on August 1, 2025.
The tariff, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, is tied to trade imbalances highlighted under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). U.S. officials pointed to a growing disparity, with South Africa exporting $14.8 billion in goods to the U.S., while American exports to South Africa stand at only $5.8 billion.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel accused the South African government of inaction during a 90-day grace period provided by Washington. He claimed that U.S. concerns were brushed off as misinformation and that the GNU failed to engage in effective dialogue.
Kriel warned that the tariffs could have serious economic consequences and argued that some domestic policies—such as the Expropriation Act—have worsened relations with the United States.
He further alleged that AfriForum’s proposed solutions were ignored and that the group had even faced accusations of disloyalty for raising alarm.
In response, President Ramaphosa defended his administration’s handling of the issue. He noted that 77% of U.S. exports currently enter South Africa duty-free and said diplomatic discussions are still ongoing.
He also referenced a formal trade proposal submitted to U.S. authorities in May 2025, urging continued dialogue to prevent what he called a “punitive” tariff.
