South Africa is awaiting a response to its trade proposals from US President Donald Trump\u2019s administration and isn\u2019t assured of reaching a deal by 1 August that would avoid 30% tariffs being imposed on its imports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe remain committed to the cause as we await substantive feedback from our US counterparts on the final status on our framework deal,\u201d South African Trade Minister Parks Tau said in a statement on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa is not in a unique position as the US attempts to finalize negotiations with some 185 countries around the world by 1 August.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After backpedaling on plans to impose sweeping duties on US imports earlier this year, Trump renewed his threat to institute them this week unless bilateral trade deal are agreed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US is South Africa\u2019s largest trading partner after China.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 30% tariff could put more than 100,000 jobs in South Africa\u2019s auto and agricultural sector at risk, central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned earlier this month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That would be a big knock to a country that already has one of the world\u2019s highest unemployment rates and tepid economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sticking points to achieving a deal include the nation\u2019s Black empowerment policies that were introduced after 1994 to address racial disparities stemming from colonial and apartheid rule, Zane Dangor, the director-general of South Africa\u2019s foreign affairs department, told a panel discussion earlier on Tuesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is bedeviling the issue is some of the demands that are being made,\u201d he said. \u201cThey were quite clear that there are certain things they expect from South Africa and<\/strong> Black economic empowerment was high on the agenda<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country has been in talks with the US since May, when President Cyril Ramaphosa endured a combative meeting with Trump during a visit to the White House. <\/p>\n\n\n\n