The Solidarity Movement is deeply concerned that the American government’s growing frustration with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC could result in further punitive tariffs against South Africa.
During the Solidarity Movement’s recent visit to Washington, it became evident that there is growing frustration within the US government over South Africa’s lack of political will to reach an agreement. This is despite claims that apparent progress is being made in negotiations.
While the Solidarity Movement, of which AfriForum and Solidarity form part, is doing everything in its power to restore diplomatic and bilateral relations with the US, the ANC continues its attacks on the world’s largest economy. The Solidarity Movement warns that this could have disastrous consequences for South Africa and its citizens.
“Our country is bleeding. A wave of retrenchments has already hit South Africa, and we cannot dismiss this as mere statistics: these are people losing their jobs and homes; these are children going to bed hungry. We simply cannot afford further damage to our economy,” said Flip Buys, Chairperson of the Solidarity Movement.
The local economy has already suffered severe damage since the US imposed 30% trade tariffs against South Africa in August this year. This will only worsen if a positive trade agreement with the US is not reached urgently.
According to Buys, it is also highly reckless of the ANC to actively antagonise the US, which is South Africa’s second largest trading partner.
“As the world’s largest economy, it is irresponsible for any country not to maintain excellent bilateral relations with the United States. As ANC president, Ramaphosa has attempted to shift the blame for the current diplomatic crisis with the US. The harsh reality, however, is that the ANC itself has solely caused this crisis and the resulting economic harm,” said Buys.
When the US first announced tariffs on 2 April 2025, the ANC-led government took more than a month before beginning to engage with the US. After disastrous talks, the ANC simply ignored the problem.
President Ramaphosa’s conduct at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the end of last month certainly did not win South Africa any favour either. During his address, he claimed that “…trade is now being used as a weapon against various countries in the world” and that “…geopolitical shocks and unprecedented trade policy” are destabilising the world economy.
That UN meeting was precisely the platform where negotiations towards an agreement should have taken place. Instead of holding constructive sideline talks, the president further criticised the US from the podium. Although he did not mention President Trump by name, his comments were clearly directed at Trump’s tariffs.
The Solidarity Movement remains willing to assist the South African government in efforts to secure a positive trade agreement. The organisation has now sent an urgent letter to President Ramaphosa, once again offering its assistance to help facilitate such an agreement with the US.
“From our initial talks with the American administration, the Solidarity Movement has aimed to repair the diplomatic and economic damage caused by the ANC over decades,” said Buys.
“In this regard, we have repeatedly reached out to the ANC-led government to work together. These efforts have consistently been rejected and met with intimidation and radical racial rhetoric.
“The ANC may not need a trade agreement with the US, but South Africa certainly does. Because we love our country, we are once again reaching out to the government to try and facilitate a positive trade agreement with the United States.”
