President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out against what he describes as the “unilateral” increased trade tariffs that the US has placed on his country.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump declared that starting from August 1, imports from South Africa would face a new 30% tariff.

This is the only African nation impacted by his recent announcement, which shows the troubled relationship between Trump and Ramaphosa’s government.

In a letter to Ramaphosa, Trump mentioned that South Africa’s trade dealings with the US “have been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal”. In his reply, Ramaphosa argued that the 30% tariff “does not accurately reflect the available trade data”.

Trump’s choice is a significant setback for South Africa. The US is its second-largest trading partner, and South Africa’s car and agriculture industries previously enjoyed duty-free access to the US market.

Trump also sent letters to South Africa and 13 other nations, updating them on his new tariff plans.