SOUTH AFRICA GETS STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFF EXEMPTION FROM UNITED STATES

Some companies in South Africa get tariff exemption from U.S on its Steel & Aluminum products.

Some local producers in South Africa have receive steel & aluminum tariff exemption from the United States Government. President Donald Trump’s decision last year to enact a 25 percent and 10 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports respectively piqued metals producers globally. However, some exporting nations were able to get exemptions for all their steel & aluminum products.

According to reports, the U.S government have given South Africa exemptions for 161 aluminum and 36 steel products. These exemptions were as a result of requests from U.S customers who were in need of the South African products.

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said, the products under exemptions include aluminum foil and aluminum plates; sheets and strip, as well as steel hot-rolled bars, hot-rolled sheets, cold-rolled sheets, plates cut and plates in coils.

The DTI also said it is currently trying to get exemptions for all South African steel & aluminum products. While the tariffs could lead to job losses in manufacturing and mining; the exemptions will contribute towards ensuring that jobs in companies producing these products are retained”.

South African exports of aluminum products account for about 1.6 percent of total U.S. aluminum imports.