Trump’s new tariff rates presented on 31 July 2025 corrected some of the grosser anomalies in his April announcement. Notably, Lesotho’s astronomical tariff of 50% was reduced to 15%. But some, like South Africa’s rate, stayed the same despite vigorous government lobbying to reduce it.

Slapped with a steep tariff, South African officials hope for a deal, but some worry the U.S. may insist that it roll back measures that redress the damage of apartheid.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump held a phone call Wednesday, a day before Washington’s 30% tariffs on the nation’s goods entering the US kicked in.