Slapped with a steep tariff, South African officials hope for a deal, but some worry the U.S. may insist that it roll back measures that redress the damage of apartheid.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump held a phone call Wednesday, a day before Washington’s 30% tariffs on the nation’s goods entering the US kicked in.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on bilateral trade and the two countries' trade negotiating teams will have more detailed talks,

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa) says SA’s position as a gateway for US companies into Africa is now at risk and expressed ‘grave concern’ at the government’s inability to secure a trade deal or exemption from the 30% tariffs imposed on a wide range of SA goods entering the US.

The #RacistBanksMustFall movement in South Africa has urged urgent legislative reforms following the announcement of a new US executive order that seeks to ban banks from closing accounts based on political or religious views.

South Africa’s government is putting the final touches to an overarching package that aims to shield businesses against the fallout from punitive US trade tariffs and plans to present it to lawmakers later this week.

Although the duties introduced by the US president only came into force on Thursday, 7 August, Donald Trump’s bombastic announcement has already had a marked effect on trade balances.

Political analysts express concerns that the South African government is not effectively engaging with US President Donald Trump regarding crucial trade relations, as a 30% tariff on South African goods looms.