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theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:
Powering Mutually Beneficial Global Trade.
Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.
Implications
The trade relationship between the US and South Africa is currently characterized by the imposition of new US tariffs and significant uncertainty regarding the renewal of a major trade agreement.
Here is an update on US Tariffs, Deals and Agreements, and Company Impacts related to South Africa as of October 2025:
Area | Status (October 2025) | Key Details |
US Tariffs on South Africa | 30% (Implemented since August 1, 2025) | This is the current "reciprocal tariff" rate applied to "any and all South African products" entering the US market. |
Sectoral US Tariffs | 25% (Automobiles & Auto Parts) | South African automotive products are specifically hit with a 25% tariff. Steel and Aluminum imports from South Africa are also subject to a separate 50% tariff (dating back to earlier actions). |
Trade Deals - AGOA | Expired (September 30, 2025) | The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access for thousands of South African products, has expired. There are reports of a possible one-year extension being considered by the US Congress, but no action has been taken. |
New Trade Agreement | Negotiations Ongoing | South Africa submitted a "comprehensive and ambitious Framework Deal" to the US in May 2025 to replace the current tariff structure and secure a new trade relationship, but the 30% tariffs were imposed regardless. Negotiations continue for a "mutually beneficial trade deal." |
Company & Sector Impact | Significant negative impact | The new tariffs threaten key South African export sectors, notably Automotive and Citrus, and are projected to shave off around 0.2%-0.4% of South Africa's GDP growth. |
Exemptions | Critical Minerals | Key South African mineral exports, such as Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold, coal, and manganese, have been explicitly excluded from the new 30% reciprocal tariffs, likely to safeguard US corporate interests and critical supply chains. |
Impact on Companies & Sectors
The tariffs are having a direct and indirect impact on South African companies and American firms operating in South Africa:
South African Companies (JSE-Listed): Firms with significant exposure to the US market, such as those in mining, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, face increased costs and reduced competitiveness. Examples include:
Sasol Limited (SOL): Vulnerable due to chemical product exports to the US.
Sibanye Stillwater (SSW): While its PGM exports are exempt, its U.S. operations and overall profitability are exposed to the broader trade instability.
Automotive Sector: The 25% tariff on vehicles and parts poses a major threat to this critical sector, which accounted for a large share of South Africa's trade surplus with the US.
American Companies in South Africa: Over 600 US companies operate in South Africa, contributing to its industrial growth. While their specific products may not be targeted, the heightened policy uncertainty and potential economic slowdown in South Africa could negatively affect their operations and investment plans.
US Consumers/Importers: Economists argue that the tariff burden is largely being paid by American importers and consumers in the form of higher prices for goods like South African wine, fruits, and manufactured items.
South Africa is actively exploring new markets in Asia, Africa, and the EU to mitigate the effects of the US tariffs and the lapse of AGOA.
US Revised Tariffs
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Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Tariff Rate for US
World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.
US Imports Guide
United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.
Investing in USA
theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters
Sources : Forbes | USDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia | International Trade Administration
theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.
Economic
Relevance
Ranking
State | Info | Overall Rank | Agri | Innov | Mfg | Employ | Tax | Edu | GDP | F500 Rep | Trade Balance | Cost of Living | Disp Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 | |
North Carolina | 2 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 17 | 17 | |
Virginia | 3 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 3 | |
Florida | 4 | 21 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 7 | 40 | 30 | 37 | |
Washington | 5 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 28 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 43 | 1 | |
Missouri | 6 | 11 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 20 | |
Georgia | 7 | 15 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 26 | 19 | |
Minnesota | 8 | 6 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 9 | |
Ohio | 9 | 12 | 32 | 7 | 30 | 35 | 36 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 15 | 11 | |
Illinois | 10 | 5 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 37 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 32 | 7 |