US President Donald Trump is at it again.
This time, he has imposed significantly high tariffs on South African exports to the US because of "bad things going on in South Africa".
On Thursday, 3 April, the South African government said it has noted with concern the newly imposed tariffs on Mzansi by Trump.
"While South Africa remains committed to a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, unilaterally imposed and punitive tariffs are a concern and serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity," said Presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya.
He said the tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the US as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty.
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On Wednesday, 2 April, Trump announced a 10% tariff on all imports to the US and additional reciprocal tariffs for many other countries, including 30% for South Africa.
In a chart showing the amounts each country allegedly levies on the US that Trump paraded from the White House Rose Garden, South Africa appears as charging the US 60% tariffs.
He repeated his unfounded allegation that Mzansi was doing bad things.
"They have got some bad things going on in South Africa. You know, we are paying them billions of dollars and we cut the funding because a lot of bad things are happening in South Africa. The fake news ought to be looking at it, they don't want to report it," said Trump, before continuing to name other countries.
Lesotho, Botswana, Mauritius, Madagascar and Angola got higher tariffs than South Africa.
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