Pretoria, South Africa — Trade Minister Parks Tau has stated that a trade agreement between South Africa and the United States is “very close,” though he stopped short of offering specific details on terms or timing.
Tau’s comments come amid intense negotiations after the U.S. imposed a 30 percent tariff on South African exports earlier in 2025 under “reciprocal” tariff rules. South Africa is seeking to ease those tariffs through a revised trade proposal.
According to Reuters, Cabinet has approved a revised offer intended to address U.S. concerns raised in the 2025 National Trade Estimates Report. The new proposal reportedly includes adjustments on sanitary and phytosanitary measures for items like poultry and pork shipments.
In earlier statements, Tau described a framework deal submitted to the U.S. that includes proposals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) investment, exemptions on certain auto imports from U.S. tariffs, expanded agricultural market access, and cooperation on digital trade and critical minerals. Tau also signaled that South Africa will not adopt retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. measures. Instead, Pretoria is emphasizing negotiation and trade diplomacy.
Still, uncertainty lingers as South Africa awaits official word from U.S. authorities. Tau noted that the United States has not yet confirmed whether it will enforce or rescind the 30 percent tariff.
If successfully finalized, the deal could restore more favorable access for South African goods and ease pressure on export sectors that have been hit hard by the U.S. tariffs. However, much depends on whether Washington deems South Africa’s revised offer sufficient or requires further concessions.
