Event report
Back To | The potential effects of the new Trump administration on South Africa
On February 13, 2025, the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), in partnership with Platinum member Coface, hosted an engaging Economic Forecast session.
Held at FSACCI’s Johannesburg offices and streamed live to Cape Town, the event provided a crucial platform for business leaders to analyze the potential economic implications of Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency on South Africa.
The keynote speaker, Aroni Chaudhuri, Chief Africa Economist at Coface, presented an in-depth analysis of global economic trends and how shifting U.S. policies may impact trade relations and financial stability.
Key insights from the session highlighted:
Increased financial and stagflationary risks in the U.S. under the Trump 2.0 administration.
The potential rise in U.S. tariffs, particularly targeting China, which could disrupt global trade patterns.
Strengthening of the U.S. dollar, leading to capital outflows from emerging markets, including South Africa.
Sector-specific challenges in South Africa, with persistent constraints in mining and steel industries.
Projected economic acceleration in Africa despite ongoing fiscal and monetary pressures.
Chaudhuri emphasized that while South Africa’s economic growth is expected to accelerate in 2025, the country still faces volatile demand and external deficits that could sustain a weak rand. Additionally, global financial trends, including monetary policy divergence between the U.S. and the Eurozone, may further influence local economic conditions.
FSACCI looks forward to hosting further knowledge-sharing sessions to support its members in making informed business decisions in a rapidly changing global economy.
