But the bigger takeaway was Trump’s pledge to transform U.S.-Africa relations: a shift from aid to trade, even as the region reels from steep tariffs and sweeping aid cuts.

"Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge South Africa a tariff of only 30% on any and all South African products sent to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs," he added.

Fears that jobs could go Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on selected South African goods and threatens another 10% for nations aligned with the BRICS bloc of developing economies. South Africa’s ...

U.S. President Donald Trump’s new Africa strategy shifts from aid to trade under a “commercial diplomacy” push, urging ambassadors to broker business deals rather than manage aid programs ...

Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on selected South African goods and threatens another 10% for nations aligned with the BRICS bloc of developing economies. South Africa’s Automotive Business Council ...

Trade, not aid, is the order of the day. “It is now truly our policy for Africa,” said Troy Fitrell, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, when announcing the strategy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in May.