Trump’s new tariff rates presented on 31 July 2025 corrected some of the grosser anomalies in his April announcement. Notably, Lesotho’s astronomical tariff of 50% was reduced to 15%. But some, like South Africa’s rate, stayed the same despite vigorous government lobbying to reduce it.

South Africa faces the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Trump's strained relationship with the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Other African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days.

South Africa's central bank believes U.S. tariffs will only have a modest impact on the country's economic growth while leaving its inflation levels broadly unchanged, its governor said on Friday.