Economists say US tariffs could lead to global recession

 

Some economists say the tariffs imposed by the United States to some countries across the globe could lead to a global recession.

US President, Donald Trump, announced a 10% tariff on all imports to the US, with even steeper rates for countries like China, the EU, South Africa and Lesotho – sparking fears of a global trade war.

South Africa has been hit by 31%, Lesotho 50% and the EU by 20% whilst the UK got one of the lowest tariffs of 10%.

Trump has deemed some countries as the worst offenders when rationalising Washington’s decision to impose the high tariffs.

Veteran economist, Azar Jammine, says this will impact the country heavily.

Another veteran economist, Dawie Roodt, agrees.

Lobby group, AfriForum, says it tried to avert this from happening but their efforts weren’t fell flat.

leaders and the ANC-led government must be held accountable for this punishment.

AfriForum CEO, Kallie Kriel, says ANC leaders should be held to account for this “punishment” – saying they’ve failed to put South Africans first to avoid punitive measures now imposed against the country.

Various quarters in the country say retaliatory tariffs against the United States won’t be beneficial and could add fuel to the fire in the tensions between the two countries.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Parks Tau, is among those who hold such a view.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed concern over the tariffs, describing the move as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity.

Minister Tau says they will continue to engage with the US over this issue, saying Pretoria needs clarity on what informed Washington’s decision.

European leaders say they are ready to respond to the US’s move, but say they’ve left the door open for engagement.

The EU bloc was hit with a 20% tariff hike.

Trump has previously imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports as well as cars and auto parts.

The 27-member bloc’s chief, Ursula von der Leyen, says this will be a major blow to the world economy.

The universal tariffs announced by the US are a major blow to businesses and consumers worldwide.

Europe is prepared to respond.

We’ll always protect our interests and values.
We’re also ready to engage.

And to go from confrontation to negotiation ? https://t.co/WbXqsN4ZX7

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 3, 2025

South Africans have reacted to the announcement with some concerned that this will affect the country immensely.

Donald Trump is funny ???? “South Africa….many bad things are happening in South Africa” uyasijwayela lo. https://t.co/hF4YlX1zjf pic.twitter.com/EW2acTlqFB

— Ntshaba (@lindamnkhonto) April 3, 2025

Hi @grok, is Afriforum’s claim that Donald Trump imposed “significantly higher import tariffs on the country [South Africa] than on most other nations” accurate? Keep the answer short, I have a follow-up. Thanks Grokzin. https://t.co/BcGNsTVJxQ

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) April 3, 2025

Disingenuous you @kalliekriel, Donald Trump put global tariffs on nearly every country. South Africa hit with 30% and somehow you apportion the blame on the ANC but Afriforum? What about the 10% tariffs on Heard and McDonald Islands inhabited ONLY by penguins? Who do you blame? https://t.co/epRTpSAMip pic.twitter.com/5QBN449vYh

— UncleDASH???? (@malomeDASH) April 3, 2025

donald trump’s tariffs are going to hit south africa hard, and not in a way we can just shrug off.

let me break it down simply, these tariffs, especially the 30% slap on our exports to america, are a game-changer, and i’m worried, because our economy isn’t exactly in a position

— Von (@BadBoootyDaddy) April 3, 2025

The obsessive anti-Black governed South Africa racists will not see that in the table, Donald Trump has a general fifty percent (50%) tariff on each of the other countries listed on it. They are only shouting & screaming a pre-ordained narrative from their white supremacist views

— kabelo (@kpseabi) April 3, 2025