Ramaphosa taunts Trump over trade chaos
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government continues to negotiate with Washington for a trade agreement, but refused to specify when the talks might conclude. He told reporters on Wednesday that a deal could emerge tomorrow, next week, or next month, noting that government timelines are often subject to change. The discussions aim to reduce steep American tariffs imposed in August that threaten jobs in the automobile and citrus industries.
Ramaphosa spoke at a press conference in Bern with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. He described the negotiations as text-based, indicating a potential movement toward a final agreement. Switzerland faces a 39 percent tariff on most goods sent to America and has struggled to secure better terms despite persistent diplomatic efforts.
When asked about advising Switzerland on dealing with President Donald Trump, Ramaphosa said the two nations exchange information and strategies. Keller-Sutter acknowledged that Trump makes final decisions and suggested patience might help. The two countries also pledged to update an existing trade pact between the Southern African Customs Union and the European Free Trade Association.
