South Africa rejects new US tariffs as unjustified, vows to defend national trade interests [SOUND]

# Government says it will defend South Africa’s national trade interests following the US’s decision to impose a 30-percent tariff on local exports. About eight-percent of South Africa’s total exports go to the US, making it the country’s third-largest trading partner. In a joint media briefing, International Relations and Cooperation minister, Ronald Lamola, said the tariffs disregard South Africa’s minimal 0.25-percent share of total US imports and pose no threat to US industry or national security: