South Africa Warns Trump Tariffs Jeopardise 100,000 Jobs

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned on Wednesday that the 30% tariff the United States plans to enforce on South African goods from 1 August could eliminate about 100,000 jobs in Africa’s most industrialised economy. Kganyago said the agriculture and automotive industries are likely to absorb the biggest blow. Farmer groups estimate the citrus sector alone could shed 35,000 positions, while government data show South African vehicle exports to the US have already fallen more than 80% since Washington imposed separate auto duties in April. The job-loss projection is particularly stark for a country where the official unemployment rate stands at 32.9%. Kganyago added that Pretoria will craft a response "with the national interest in the forefront," even as the tariff dispute threatens to overshadow this week’s G-20 finance talks in Durban.