Trump’s tariffs could wipe out 100,000 jobs in South Africa

U.S. President Donald Trump’s 30% import tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, could cost South Africa over 100,000 jobs, deepening an already severe unemployment crisis.

The figures were put forward by the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago, reports Reuters on July 16. He focused specifically on the agricultural and auto sectors, which he says will be the hardest hit.

“The impact in agriculture could actually be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes, and wines,” Kganyago lamented. The blow will deepen the country’s 43% unemployment rate, with over 35,000 job losses in the citrus sector alone.

Reuters