# Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, has requested the International Trade Administration Commission to review South Africa’s trade policy on paper products. This follows calls from local manufacturers for higher tariffs on international paper products, as they struggle to compete with cheaper imports, high electricity and transport costs, and squeezed profit margins. Tau says if these challenges are not effectively addressed, the economy risks losing significant industrial investments, employment opportunities, and the economic sustainability of many rural communities that depend on the sector.
Minister Tau requests a review of South Africa’s trade policy on paper products