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Without transparency and meaningful participation, its just rent-seeking all the way down
The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) has just accepted comments on the Price Preference System (PPS), the set of rules which force scrap metal generators and recyclers to sell their scrap metal at a discount to…
LinkedIn Poll #1: Who funds tariffs on imports?
I asked my LinkedIn audience to agree or not, with the following statement. Here is the result. Correct answer Tariffs are taxes paid by importers on imported goods. Importers are local businesses so these taxes are…
Post-election crisis in Mozambique
South Africa temporarily closed its main border with Mozambique as protesters burned vehicles in Maputo. The country’s main port suspends taking cargo over security concerns. The death toll rises to about two dozen people as the…
Global trade under Comrade Trump
On 5 November Americans go to the polls to elect Potus 47. It unnerves me, but I suspect when President Ramaphosa calls to congratulate the winner, he will be speaking to the Honourable Comrade President Donald…
In fighting terrorism, states in south-west West Africa must pay attention to their shores
When “Al-Shabaab in Mozambique” emerged in Mozambique in 2017, it had become the southernmost active jihadi group in Africa. Interestingly, it had established itself on the northern coast among fishing communities and exploited the economic neglect…
Self-promotion in Mali and rapprochement in Niger: signs of domestic differences in junta-led states
Over a week ago, Asimi Goita, (the junta leader of Mali since 2021) promoted himself and assumed the special title of “supreme” commander of the “land army” (never a good sign). He went further to promote…
Import duties increased on wheat and wheat flour
ITAC is properly on top of things! The import duties on wheat and wheat flour have been increased from zero to R4.22 per kg for wheat and to R6.329 per kg for wheat flour. This is…
Investigation initiated into a possible rebate of duty on copper sulphates
ITAC are looking into creating a temporary rebate on copper sulphate which saw its import duties increased on 20 September 2024 from zero to 10%. The proposed rebate will only be available to companies who import…
Xenophobia and the terrible art of blaming foreigners
I have no children, but I can know that losing a child is a devastating experience for any parent, so I understand the anger and fear when children are dying because of food poisoning. Politicians are…
Anti-dumping investigation initiated on top-loading washing machines from China and Thailand
Defy Appliances applied for anti-dumping duties on “Fully automatic top load machines, of a dry linen capacity exceeding 10 kg but less than 17 kg classifiable under tariff subheading 8450.20.20” from China and Thailand. Defy is…
Why are Botswana and Namibia banning South African citrus and vegetables?
… and why is South Africa upset by their behaviour? Answering these two questions gets us closer to understanding why protectionist policies create net economic harms, even when they appear benign. Agricultural economists Thabile Nkunjana and…
Zimbabwe initiates a safeguard investigation against imported toothpaste
… and South African producers are in their sights. Zimbabwe’s Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) launched a safeguard investigation because of concerns about an “influx of toothpaste imports into the country, which is threatening the viability…
Essential Facts letter released in hot-rolled steel safeguard investigation
The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) has released its essential facts letter in the ongoing safeguard investigation into the increased imports of hot-rolled steel products on 15 October 2024. This follows the preliminary determination published in…
The men in arms think power emanates from the gun: EU parliament calls for a civilian transition in Sudan
While discussing the military takeover in Guinea in 2021, two experts were sure that the leader of the junta, Doumbouya, was not interested in power. I disagreed. Even though the circumstances that led to the Guinea…
Time for Algeria to focus on its African leadership
Algeria is currently the fourth largest economy on the African continent. Its economy is largely propelled by oil and gas exports and the industry built around the sector. By land size, Algeria is number one in…
For Africa to develop, the drive must come from within
The economic and political vortex for Africa’s development will come from within: all others should be enablers. The competition for the attention of Africa and its concomitant gains for competitors have been at the forefront of…
Protectionism and why you can’t tax consumers to success
The problem with most “-ism’s” is they don’t stop where you think they will. Racism under apartheid delved into the smallest minutiae to ensure that the tiniest drop of black coffee didn’t dilute that pure mug…
The new scramble for Africa
The diplomatic aspect of the scramble for Africa continues, with Russia considering more visa-free regimes. Africa’s natural resources, promising markets, geo-strategic position and significance to global security are emphasised when the factors that influence global competition…
A new investment model for Africa?
With the CEO of TotalEnergies scheduled to meet the president of Mozambique to resume the operations of the energy giant in Cabo Delgado, a new investment model could be developed in the face of insecurity in Africa.…
Iran steps up its aggression against Israel
Iran fires a couple of hundred missiles at Israel and claims it achieved 80% hits and stated that the Supreme leader is in a safe location. It says the barrage is in response to the killing…
How Israel has limited the flip side of “decapitation”: Hassan Nasrallah’s death
I’m very excited that the amazing Ghanaian international relations scholar Fidel Amakye Owusu has given permission for us to publish some of his writings. Fidel is a student of conflict in Africa, but also around the…
Reviewing South Africa’s Export Control Guidelines on Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) is reviewingthe Amended Export Control Guidelines on the Exportation of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap, published on 27 September 2024. The aim of this review is…
Two new anti-dumping investigations into steel and another case against tyres
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has initiated three new investigations regarding alleged dumping and circumvention of anti-dumping measures. Below are the details: In all cases, the deadline to respond is 20 October…
Customs duties increased on plate-type heat exchange elements for pre-heaters and copper sulphate
Well done to ITAC and the Ministers of Trade and Finance in concluding an investigation in 18 months. It’s been a while and we’re smiling! The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced two key customs…
The very complicated temporary rebate rules for onion powder
There are no onion powder manufacturers in South Africa and there have not been any for at least 20 years, but there is still an import duty on onion powder, despite an application by a user…
You should do our industrial policy course with the University of Pretoria
And here we go folks. Today we launch our very first course with the University of Pretoria on Industrial Policy! You know it will be good and it will be fun and you’ll even learn quite…
Is Sacu slowly disintegrating?
Is the Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa – Sacu) in danger of slowly disintegrating? This is not good for any of the people living in the union. The objective of…
China’s Bold Move: Zero-Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries
In a groundbreaking announcement at the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit, President Xi Jinping declared that China will extend zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines for all least developed countries (LDCs) that maintain diplomatic relations…
The problematic change in how Customs rebates are used
I was struck by Ayabonga Cawe’s recent take down of the World Bank report, “Unlocking SA’s potential”, which you can find here. You can read Cawe’s full article here. Cawe, as the Chief Commissioner at the…
We’ve just launched XA Import Duty Investigation Report No. 5 – You should read it!
93% of all tariff codes which attract an import duty, and which saw trade through it in 2023, last had their duty levels reviewed more than 20 years ago. Here is why that is an astonishing…