BACKGROUND
On 7 July 2025, the United States announced a 30% import tariff on South African exports, effective 1 August 2025. This development has prompted widespread concern within the South African Metals and Engineering Sector, which relies on the United States for approximately 8% of its total output.
To assess the likely implications, SEIFSA conducted a snap survey across its membership base.
This report synthesises both the quantitative and qualitative feedback received, identifying direct and indirect impacts on companies, market alternatives being considered and notable initial perspectives emerging from the sector.
KEY QUANTITATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
126 member companies responded to the survey, the self-reported exposure to the new United States tariffs can be categorised as follows:
- Directly affected (revenue/ job losses): 33.3%
- Indirectly affected (supply chain/ economy): 23.8%
- Exploring alternative markets: 15.9%
- Uncertain impact: 14.3%
- Unaffected: 12.7%
These figures show that while not every respondent is directly exposed to the tariff, a majority anticipate either direct or cascading economic consequences, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the metals and engineering ecosystem.
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