DONALD TRUMP IMPERIALIST TARIFFS @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) vehemently condemns the recent imposition of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States of America’s (USA) President Donald Trump on South Africa and other nations.

This act is a blatant manifestation of imperialist and extractive mechanisms designed to coerce sovereign nations into subjugation under the USA’s economic dominance. President Trump’s characterisation of these tariffs as “reciprocal” is a deliberate distortion of reality. 

The United States, with its entrenched control over the global economy and key manufacturing industries—a dominance achieved through centuries of colonial exploitation, conquest, and the deliberate underdevelopment of other nations—cannot claim reciprocity when imposing tariffs on countries still grappling with the legacies of such historical injustices.  For developing nations, particularly those in the Global South, tariffs serve as vital instruments to nurture and protect emerging local industries and economies from predatory global forces. 

In contrast, the USA’s imposition of tariffs under the guise of reciprocity is a coercive tactic aimed at preserving its hegemonic position at the expense of the economic sovereignty of other nations. 

The EFF calls upon nations within the BRICS alliance and the broader Global South to resist and reject these imperialist tactics. It is imperative that we fortify bilateral trade relations within our continent and among developing nations to diminish reliance on Western-dominated markets and to undermine the USA’s global economic supremacy. By fostering intra-continental trade and cooperation, we can build resilient economies that are less susceptible to the whims of imperialist powers. 

The United States must be allowed to isolate itself if it so chooses. Engaging in retaliatory tariff wars only serves to entangle our economies further in the web of the USA’s economic manipulation. Instead, our focus should be on diversifying our markets, investing in regional value chains, and strengthening economic ties with partners who respect our sovereignty and developmental aspirations. 

We also note with grave concern that President Trump’s announcement of these “reciprocal tariffs” towards South Africa was prefaced by unfounded comments about “bad things” happening in our country. This is yet another instance of disinformation aimed at rationalising punitive economic measures, reminiscent of the manufactured narratives used to justify interventions in nations like Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Such rhetoric not only misrepresents the realities of our nation but also sets a dangerous precedent for unwarranted foreign interference under the pretext of fabricated crises. Furthermore, these “reciprocal tariffs” signal the effective end of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as it pertains to South Africa. The preferential trade terms that once facilitated our exports to the USA market have been unilaterally revoked, underscoring the unreliability of trade agreements with partners who operate with imperialist motives. 

This development serves as a clarion call for South Africa and its peers to re-evaluate our trade partnerships and to prioritise relationships that are predicated on mutual respect and benefit. 

The EFF remains firm in its commitment to economic emancipation and the pursuit of a just global economic order. We will continue to advocate for policies that protect our national interests, promote self-reliance, and challenge the exploitative practices of imperialist nations, and call on all South Africans to stand together in defence of our sovereignty. 

Our struggle is not only against unjust tariffs but against the entire network of economic imperialism that seeks to perpetuate the subjugation of the Global South.