Trump's steel tariff 'not a car smash for SA'
Chance for exemption for 'friendly' exporter countries welcomed
A steel tariff increase announced by the US government on Thursday to protect its domestic market is unlikely to have any immediate impact on South African car manufacturers because the new measure primarily targets raw steel products and not finished products. According to the White House, US President Donald Trump said at the signing ceremony his plan exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs until the finalisation of ongoing trade negotiations. Other countries that are affected, including South Africa, can apply for relief from the new duties. Cheap steel exports by China have been the main catalyst for the latest protectionist move by the US government."We have to protect and build our steel and aluminium industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and co-operation toward those that are really friends of ours," Trump said. However, the concern from local steel industry players is that the US could still use the steel tariff hike, which affects 12 countries, as ...
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