Ramaphosa Criticizes Trade as Tool of Pressure

(MENAFN) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa cautioned that international commerce is increasingly being “used as a weapon” against several nations.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, the South African head of state stated that such practices put global financial stability at risk.

His comments followed Washington’s decision to enforce heavy tariffs on South African exports.

Ramaphosa voiced concern that growing geopolitical frictions and sudden changes in trade regulations are obstructing avenues for development funding.

He urged the world community to “redouble efforts to strengthen the link between trade and development,” stressing that coercive economic measures carry harmful impacts for many nations.

“We want tariffs that President Trump is seeking to levy on us and has already started, to be reduced,” he underlined.

Relations between Pretoria and Washington have worsened since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January.

The US government applied a 30% duty on South African products, as part of a worldwide set of tariffs that now affect nearly all American imports.

The levies were enforced despite repeated attempts by South Africa to secure a modified arrangement.

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