U.S. Rejects South Africa’s Tariff Extension Plea, Signals Global Trade Crackdown

No Reprieve on August 1 Deadline as President Trump’s Tariffs Loom, Threatening South African Jobs

The U.S. has denied South Africa’s request to extend the August 1 tariff deadline, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed, signaling no exemptions for any trading partner.

“No extensions, no grace periods,” Lutnick declared on Fox News Sunday, as 30% tariffs loom on South African exports like autos and citrus, endangering 35,000 jobs.

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South Africa’s trade ministry sought a delay to negotiate a deal, offering U.S. LNG purchases for tariff exemptions, but talks stalled. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met President Trump in Scotland to secure a 15% EU tariff deal.

Strained U.S. relations, exacerbated by South Africa’s growing ties with Iran, its role in the Israel case at the ICJ, and domestic concerns over minority persecution, have hindered progress.

With the U.S. as South Africa’s second-largest trade partner, the tariffs threaten economic stability, prompting Trade Minister Parks Tau to urge “strategic patience” amid rising global trade tensions.

MoneyControl: No extension on 1 August tariff deadline, says US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

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