South Africa’s president says trade is being used as a ‘weapon’

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday his country is in talks with a US trade representative to reduce tariffs levied by US President Donald Trump after telling world leaders that "trade is now being used as a weapon."

The US is South Africa's partner. Trump in August imposed a on imports from South Africa after Ramaphosa's government made several unsuccessful attempts to secure a trade agreement.