South Africa faces the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Trump's strained relationship with the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Other African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days.

The South African rand was little changed in muted trade on Tuesday even after the release of a positive purchasing managers' index survey as investors continued to wait for tariff updates ahead of the United States' August 8 deadline.

South African authorities have warned that U.S. reciprocal tariffs could put an estimated 30,000 jobs at risk.