The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has voiced alarm over escalating gun violence in the United States, warning that the crisis poses a threat to global safety as the country prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This follows the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a vocal proponent of unfettered gun rights, who was struck in the neck while addressing students at an American university. The EFF described the incident as a grim reflection of a political order that…

A high-level South African delegation is in Washington this week on a mission to rescue its ailing trade relationship with the United States. Last week, the African Union’s office in Washington convened dozens of African ambassadors to strategise a lobbying push for renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – the key US law that grants sub-Saharan countries duty-free access to American markets. With AGOA’s expiry looming, countries across Africa are scrambling to make their case: Kenya’s top…

South Africa has fought hard to preserve its trade ties with the United States. President Cyril Ramaphosa even traveled to Washington to offer a “framework deal” that included buying American liquefied natural gas and investing around $3.3 billion in the U.S. economy.  But those overtures failed. On August 8, 2025, the United States imposed a sweeping 30% tariff on most South African exports, abruptly raising barriers on goods ranging from fruit to automobiles. The impact of this tariff hike is…

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — The United States has played the disgraceful role of a sheer lie-monger on the South China Sea issue, according to a report released on Thursday. The report, titled “Incitement, Threats, and Lies — The Truth about External Forces Interfering in the South China Sea Issue,” is published by the Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency. The report reveals that Washington has long engaged in extensive theoretical research, leveraging its dominant position…

South Africa is staring down the barrel of a major economic blow after the United States confirmed it will impose steep tariffs—up to 30%—on goods and produce imported from the country. The move, effective 07 August 2025, follows a diplomatic and trade negotiation failure led by Trade Minister Parks Tau and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. In what the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) describes as a “devastating outcome of ministerial negligence,” the punitive tariffs were signed off by the White…

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa is facing a major economic jolt as the United States, under President Donald Trump, prepares to impose sweeping tariffs on South African exports, a move that could upend trade relations, hurt local industries, and threaten jobs. The Department of Trade and Industry confirmed that South Africa has formally requested more time to renegotiate its trade terms with the U.S. — just days before the new tariff regime is set to take effect on 9 July 2025.…

The United States of America (USA) is tightening its visa requirements, and has announced that, effective immediately, all South Africans applying for visas will have to make their social media accounts public so that officials can properly scrutinise them. This would allow the US officials tasked with granting visas to determine, based on social media comments, posts, and the applicant’s history, whether the applicant is suitable for entry into the USA or not. This comes after the US said all…

The African Union Commission (AUC) has raised concerns over a new U.S. travel ban that restricts entry from 19 countries, including several in Africa. The move, announced by former President Donald Trump in a video statement, has sparked reactions from international bodies and civil society voices alike. Twelve countries now face a full ban, including Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan from the African continent. Another seven countries, such as Sierra Leone, Togo, and Burundi, face partial restrictions. Trump defended…

Borders that are crisscrossed more frequently by trade in goods and services are less likely to be besieged by soldiers and other armed elements, buttressing the fact that trade dividends are not just related to development, growth, and prosperity, but also include peace and mutual understanding through dialogue among civilisations. With the proliferation of regional free trade areas across the world, it is without doubt that trade makes concrete contributions to the economic growth of many countries, and trade promotion…

Dear Fellow South African, Last week, I undertook a successful working visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump to strengthen relations between our two countries. The delegation that accompanied me included a diverse range of South Africans, with representatives from Government, business, labour and the sporting fraternity, all united in advancing our country’s interests. South Africa has always regarded the United States as a strong investment and trading partner. Our countries and our economies are…