The South African government announced steps to support businesses that will be impacted by the 30% US tariff taking effect this Friday. Measures include setting up an “ export support desk ” to help firms diversify their markets and offering “fund support” to affected companies, the details of which are still being finalized.

South Africa’s government is putting the final touches to an overarching package that aims to shield businesses against the fallout from punitive US trade tariffs and plans to present it to lawmakers later this week.

South Africa poses no trade threat to the U.S. economy nor its national security, its government said on Monday, days before a steep U.S. tariff is due to take effect. Africa's biggest economy faces a 30% tariff on its exports to the U.