NATIONAL NEWS - The 30% tariffs on SA goods and produce exported to the U.S. is a devastating outcome for South Africa, as Ministers Parks Tau and Ronald Lamola have failed to secure a trade deal.

So says DA MPs, Toby Chance and Ryan Smith, respectively the DA's spokespersons on Trade, Industry and Competition and International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

An executive order from the White House last night makes clear that US-imposed tariffs are now a certainty, to be levied on South African goods and produce from 7 August.

The DA says this is due to the negligence and ineptitude of two ANC Ministers and their departments.

'Hang your heads in shame'
"Both the Departments of Trade, Industry & Competition, and International Relations & Cooperation should hang their heads in profound shame today.

"This 'no deal' scenario is due to sheer negligence, failed diplomacy and ineptitude. 

"The SA negotiators missed their first deadline to submit trade terms to the United States, and after missing the deadline were forced to ask for an extension.

They say Minister of Trade Parks Tau has no contingency plans.

"Last night he offered up a laughable 'help desk' for fearful exporters to telephone, instead of any tangible trade solutions," the DA says.

At this stage it is unclear what "help" the so-called help desk can offer, and many wry jokes are doing the rounds, including that a team of agony aunts are ready to take devastated exporters' calls.  

Other countries made deals
The DA says facing similar circumstances, the trade negotiators for Mexico secured their country an extension on the U.S. tariffs coming into effect for several months, but Minister Tau failed that test for South Africa.

"And our neighbouring Botswana was to be levied a 37% tariff, but managed to reduce this to 15% in the final executive order. All of our SADC neighboring countries have now been set at just 15%, half of the tariff to be imposed on South Africa."

Tau 'asleep at the wheel'
Chance and Smith says the context of South Africa’s U.S. trade deal failure is that across the globe Minister Tau is neglecting our country’s trade representatives. 

"Vacancies for SA trade representatives in 30 countries abroad show that Tau is asleep at the wheel."

They say in the face of the crisis, the DA pledges to do everything they can for South African trade and exporters. "We will use our role in national and provincial government to negotiate every possible trade alternative, and to bring unrelenting pressure on DTIC and Dirco to correct their wrongs."

The two ministers highlight Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen efforts to secure diverse alternative markets for SA’s agricultural exporters. 

"Minister Steenhuisen's success and agreements in Asian markets is already seeing the diversification we need."

Late yesterday, Tau announced that his department is launching urgent measures to support exporters affected by the tariffs. 

Tau said the help desk will give updates and and tailored advisory services to exporters on alternative destinations, guidance on market entry processes, insights into compliance requirements and links to our embassies and high commissions.

Tau said the DA continues to release reckless statements which undermine the progress the government has been making towards the 1 August deadline.

“This is downright irresponsible for a party in the government of national unity and an integral part of the process. We will not, however, be deterred by this,” Tau said.

Appoint career ambassador
The DA says South Africa now needs a new ambassador to the USA, someone who understands the US position and understands the current administration in the White House.

"This demands the urgent appointment of a career diplomat, and certainly not another ANC cadre."

Address US concerns
US concerns for matters going wrong in South Africa should be urgently addressed. Chance and Smith say firstly, government must move economic policy away from BEE towards stronger equity equivalence models so that local communities benefit from investment, not ANC linked cadres.

They also demand changes to policing, saying it must be "de-racialised - particularly rural safety".

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’