Trump’s tariffs put 100,000 South African jobs at risk

South Africa could lose around 100,000 jobs due to the 30% U.S. import tariff set to take effect on 1 August, according to he Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Lesetja Kganyago. The agriculture and auto sectors face the hardest hit, especially citrus, grapes, and wine.

Speaking to local radio station, Kganyago said the tariffs would be devastating for low-skilled agricultural workers and highlighted a concerning 80% drop in South African car exports to the U.S. since Trump’s administration imposed tariffs in April.

"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 said.

South Africa already faces a severe unemployment crisis, with the official jobless rate at 32.9% and the broader figure exceeding 43%.

Farmer groups also raised alarms, warning that the citrus industry alone could see 35,000 job losses, especially in towns such as Citrusdal that rely heavily on U.S. markets.

Exporters of macadamia nuts, fruit juices, wines, and ostrich leather are also expected to be hit hard unless alternative trade measures are found.

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