Tariff crisis Trump's tariff policy

High tariffs on South Africa – US relations at rock bottom

Donald Trump is imposing 30 percent trade tariffs on South Africa from August 7. This is the highest tariff rate in sub-Saharan Africa – in the north, Algeria and Libya have received similar high tariffs.

It is a big blow for South Africa – the US is the country's largest trading partner, writes the BBC. The tariffs are expected to lead to many in the automotive and agricultural industries losing their jobs.

The government has announced measures to support export-dependent companies, and has opened a support line, writes Reuters. There is still hope of reaching a new agreement.

– All channels of communication with the US are open, and our negotiators are ready, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The relationship between the US and South Africa has been driven to rock bottom since Trump took office. Trump has stopped all aid to the country and accused them of discrimination against whites, which South Africa firmly denies.

African countries look to China after Trump's tariffs

Several African countries, including Libya, South Africa, Algeria and Tunisia, have been hit with some of Donald Trump's highest tariffs.

China, which has long strengthened its influence on the continent and is today its largest trading partner, now sees a golden opportunity.

- We are heading straight into China's hands, says Nigerian economist Bismarck Rewane to CNN.

China has offered African countries to mitigate the impact of US tariffs. In June, it announced that it would remove import tariffs for almost all of its trading partners on the continent.

According to South African researcher Neo Letswalo, the US is gradually relinquishing its global leadership. Trump's failure to sign agreements with African countries makes it an "open target" for China, he says.