WATCH | Ramaphosa claps back at Malema — ‘we won’t bow to Trump’

Trump

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected claims of appeasing the US over tariffs, emphasising engagement over retaliation.

Last month, US President Donald Trump slapped a 30% tariff on imports from Africa’s leading economy, following several failed attempts by Ramaphosa’s administration to negotiate a trade deal.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, he dismissed EFF leader Julius Malema’s accusation that South Africa was “grovelling” to the US to reduce the 30% trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

“Mr President, following Trump’s tariffs on the ountry, our approach has been that of appeasement and almost tantamount to begging. And emeneting our place as a very junior partner to the US,” Malema said.

“You have juniourised this country and it has lost its status globally. We do this while countries such as China, Canada and the EU announced retaliatory tariffs against the US.

“I know that we import finished products from the US while we largely export raw materials such as platinum, gold and raw aluminium – all of which are central to the US economy. Instead of appeasing the minarch, why have we not stood firm and imposed own retaliatory tariffs against Trump while looking to open up trade with our Bris partners and the rest of the countries of the global south.”

Ramaphosa stressed that government ministers are exploring alternative export markets and preparing for imminent negotiations in the US, asserting that South Africa will act as a sovereign nation.

He said that a government delegation is actively working in the US to lay the groundwork ahead of the upcoming negotiations, which are expected soon.

“Without being supplicant, without going on bended knee, which we have never done, and which we will never do, we will stand as a sovereign country and get the best deal for South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.

He cautioned that retaliatory measures, as suggested by Malema, could backfire, and highlighted efforts to expand exports to Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

“If one wants to play to the gallery, one could embark on the type of option that honourable Malema is talking about without knowing what outcome that option will have.”

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