Wandile Sihlobo: SA - and the world - in last-minute tariff race with the US

The future of many South African farmers hangs in the balance today with 30% export tariffs to the US set to take effect tomorrow. Wandile Sihlobo, the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) - who has been involved in some of the trade deal preparations - says: “I would say that the South African authorities have done a fair share of their work on improving the offering that they had made at the end of June in Angola. The key thing then is whether there will be sufficient time to provide enough thinking as to what is being put on the table, given that every country in the world literally is racing to have a conversation with the US authorities.” Meanwhile, Sihlobo urges a change in approach in how South Africa engages with the world.” I think…we must embrace free trade agreements.” He also gives an update on the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak that has taken South African cattle farmers out of the export market for a particular period. However, he celebrates the excellent grain harvest up North where it’s up double digit from last year. “We are looking at over 18 million tons of grain”. He also predicts a year of recovery for wheat, barley, and canola.

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