US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, 7 July that he would subject imports from South Africa to new 30% tariffs that would take effect from 1 August.  In a letter addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, which was signed by Trump and posted to his Truth Social, he said: “We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with South Africa, and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, trade deficits engendered by South Africa’s tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers.  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Senior Economist at Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, Nokwanda Maseko