By Johnathan Paoli
Trade union federations Cosatu and Saftu have called on the government to urgently engage with the US on its tariff increases on South African goods, warning that the hike will have dire consequences on workers, industries and the economy at large.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions said on Thursday that the impact would especially be felt in the automotive, mining, agriculture, clothing, chemical and jewellery sectors.
“The 30% import duties to be levied upon South African exports will have a devastating impact on local companies and threaten the salaries and jobs of thousands of South African workers,” said Cosatu parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks.
Cosatu is concerned about the potential collapse of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which has provided crucial access to the US market for South African businesses.
“We fear these new tariffs will spell the end of the African Growth and Opportunities Act
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