# The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says recent developments in global trade, which include tariff hikes, have underscored the urgent need for South Africa to diversify its markets. The US imposed 30-percent reciprocal tariffs on South African exports in August. The department’s deputy minister, Zuko Godlimpi, says increasing trade with Africa, utilising international trade agreements, expanding value-added trade in goods and services, and addressing key challenges, such as access to finance, are imperative. He adds that the government is fostering collaboration between business and labour to sustain export-led growth.
Government committed to the promotion of value-added trade with traditional and emerging markets