South African party links Trump’s tariffs to racial policies

The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-largest party in the ruling coalition, claims Trump’s tariffs on exports are linked to the country’s racial policies, Reuters reported on August 11th.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said tensions with the U.S. reach beyond trade, citing “expropriation without compensation,” labour laws, and racial legislation.

The DA claims Trump’s tariffs, set at 30%, on exports are connected to South Africa’s role in the BRICS bloc. The tariffs come amid South Africa’s ongoing economic challenges, including “elite capture” and high unemployment, adding further pressure as the country navigates trade disputes and global power shifts, noted in the August 11th edition of Maghrebi Week. 

Reuters, Maghrebi Week