South Africa braces for heavy job losses as stiff US tariffs take hold

Workers at the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa works with steel products at the company's facility in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 July 2025. REUTERS - Siphiwe Sibeko

As sweeping new US tariffs take effect on Thursday, dozens of countries are facing sharp new duties on their exports. South Africa is among the hardest hit, with key goods now subject to a 30 percent tariff and up to 100,000 jobs on the line.

The tariff hike, ordered by US President Donald Trump, is part of a wider effort to reset global trade on terms more favourable to Washington.