South Africa prioritizes strategic trade with Turkey, in reaction to U.S. tariffs
South Africa and Turkey Strengthening Economic Ties
South Africa, Africa's largest economy with a gross domestic product exceeding $410 billion, is looking to Turkey as a strategic priority market [1][2]. This shift comes in response to the United States imposing a 30% tariff on South African imports, effective from August 2025.
The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and South Africa reached approximately $2 billion in 2024, with Turkish exports accounting for about $700 million [1][5]. South Africa exports precious metals such as gold and platinum, mineral fuels, vehicles, and plastics to Turkey. Turkey, in turn, exports a variety of goods to South Africa, with South Africa importing $303.5 million worth of Turkish goods in the first half of 2025 [1][5].
The South African government views Turkey as a potential market to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs and expand opportunities for value-added production and industrialization [2][3]. The U.S. tariff regime is seen as a direct economic challenge, and the South African government is pursuing agreements that promote value-added production rather than colonial-type trade relationships that limit control over mineral resources [2][3].
The future prospects for Turkey-South Africa economic relations are promising. The recognition of Turkey as a strategic partner reflects South Africa’s intent to deepen economic ties with Turkey, leveraging Turkey's growing influence and trade presence in Africa. This could lead to heightened bilateral trade, increased Turkish investment in South Africa, and diversifying South Africa's economic partnerships in ways beneficial to both nations [1][2][3][5].
Significant progress has already been made in opening up to markets including the European Union, China, Thailand, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Eight of Africa's 10 largest companies are based in South Africa, all trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), which, with a total market value of $1.3 trillion, exceeds the combined value of all other African exchanges [6].
South Africa, a member of BRICS nations, is known for its rich minerals, developed financial infrastructure, and strong industry. However, the U.S. tariff increase has been met with criticism, with the South African government finding it "incomprehensible" and damaging to bilateral relations [7]. The South African government will continue contacts with the U.S. to reach an agreement that would develop both countries' interests [8].
References:
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1107453/turkey-trade-with-africa/ [2] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/turkey-a-strategic-priority-for-sa-amid-us-tariff-row-78a86814-3673-4c69-8503-39f8605e2a11 [3] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/sa-turkey-trade-relations-deepen-amid-us-tariff-row-24470526 [4] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/sa-turkey-trade-relations-deepen-amid-us-tariff-row-24470526 [5] https://www.trademap.org/analysis/ExploreAnalysis/1008765 [6] https://www.jse.co.za/investor-centre/resources/market-statistics [7] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/us-tariffs-on-sa-imports-incomprehensible-and-damaging-to-bilateral-relations-86e5a743-4444-4f62-88a1-7e87c996103f [8] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/sa-to-continue-talks-with-us-to-reach-an-agreement-86e5a743-4444-4f62-88a1-7e87c996103f
- Despite the US imposing a 30% tariff on South African imports, the Turkish government has emerged as a strategic priority market for South Africa's economy, as bilateral trade volume approached $2 billion in 2024.
- South Africa's government seeks to leverage Turkey's growing influence and trade presence in Africa to mitigate the impact of US tariffs, expand opportunities for value-added production, and industrialization.
- The European Union, China, Thailand, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are among the other markets South Africa has been opening up to, with the South African economy already being known for its rich minerals, developed financial infrastructure, and strong industry.
- In light of the US tariff increase, the South African government has expressed dissatisfaction, finding it "incomprehensible" and damaging to bilateral relations, but will continue contacts with the US to reach an agreement that would develop both countries' interests.
