South Africa could be hit with additional tariffs on exports to the United States after being included on a list of countries flagged by Washington over alleged failures to combat forced labour in supply chains.
The proposed measures form part of a broader United States trade review targeting approximately 60 countries. If implemented, the tariffs could affect South African exports to one of the country's key trading partners.
Under the proposal, countries including China, the United Kingdom, Japan and Brazil could face additional tariffs of up to 12.5%, while imports from Mexico, Canada and the European Union may be subjected to a 10% increase.
Speaking on the proposed measures, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States was seeking to address what it considers unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged American industries for decades.
"We have been suffering from unfair trading practices and non-market industrial policies in other countries for decades," Greer said.
He added that the US government would use available trade tools to address what it views as imbalances that have contributed to a substantial trade deficit.
The latest development has prompted a response from South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, who this week called on US authorities to provide evidence supporting the allegations.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question from the MK Party, Tau maintained that the proposed tariff measures were unrelated to South Africa's participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which grants qualifying African countries preferential access to the US market.
The proposed tariffs will now undergo a public comment process before a final decision is taken by US authorities.
The move follows a series of investigations launched by Washington into several major trading partners, including China, the European Union and Japan. The investigations examined whether those countries had taken sufficient action to prevent the importation of goods produced through forced labour and whether such imports negatively affected US commerce.
Trade analysts warn that any additional tariffs on South African exports could have implications for local industries that rely heavily on access to the American market, particularly at a time when global trade tensions remain elevated.
South African officials are expected to continue engaging with their US counterparts as the review process unfolds.