---
title: "SA’s gas gamble with Trump — what is love, and why does it cost $1bn?"
description: "In the latest episode of Politically Aweh, the drama goes global. Comedians KG Mokgadi and Zoë Human unpack the stormy South Africa-US relationship, from awkward Oval Office encounters to high-stakes trade talks, and ask whether our leaders are safeguarding the nation’s economic future or serving it up to Big Oil on a shiny silver platter."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "POLITICALLY AWEH"
author: "Politically Aweh"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/politically-aweh/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-18-sas-gas-gamble-with-trump-what-is-love-and-why-does-it-cost-1bn/"
published: "2025-08-18T15:00:47"
updated: "2025-08-17T18:18:27"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 293
---

# SA’s gas gamble with Trump — what is love, and why does it cost $1bn?

> In the latest episode of Politically Aweh, the drama goes global. Comedians KG Mokgadi and Zoë Human unpack the stormy South Africa-US relationship, from awkward Oval Office encounters to high-stakes trade talks, and ask whether our leaders are safeguarding the nation’s economic future or serving it up to Big Oil on a shiny silver platter.

By Politically Aweh · Published 18 August 2025, 17:00 SAST · Updated 17 August 2025, 20:18 SAST

## Key points
- As South Africa grapples with a hefty 30% tariff from the US that could jeopardise 100,000 jobs, the nation faces a dilemma: will it bend to Trump's whims for a lifeline, or stick to its guns and risk further straining a relationship that’s already tangled.
- US imposes 30% tariff on South African exports, threatening up to 100,000 jobs.
- Cyril Ramaphosa's initial trade deal attempts with Trump fail, raising concerns over future negotiations.
- South Africa faces pressure to meet Trump’s LNG demands, conflicting with climate commitments.
- Insights from Professor Patrick Bond and Minister Dion George to be featured in upcoming podcast.

## Content

This month, the US slapped a 30% tariff on South African exports, a move some estimate could threaten up to 100,000 jobs. It’s the latest blow in an already fractious relationship and a sign that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first attempt at a trade deal with Donald Trump’s administration has failed.

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpcejfNqNGs)

As South Africa’s negotiators scramble to table an even “more ambitious” deal in hopes of reversing the tariffs, Politically Aweh questions whether bowing to Trump’s demands – including a proposed $1-billion-a-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchase for a decade – is really in the country’s best interests. After all, didn’t Ramaphosa promise during his February State of the Nation address that “we will not be bullied”?

The episode rewinds to trace the relationship from its “strained situationship” under President Joe Biden to Trump’s personal fixation with South Africa and his recycling of far-right talking points about land reform. It examines the May 2025 White House meeting where Ramaphosa sought to reset ties, offering LNG purchases in exchange for duty-free quotas on steel, aluminium and car parts, and continued access to the US car market. Talks collapsed, and tariffs came into force on 7 August – but insiders say the deal is still on the table.

The big question: Will South Africa sell out its climate commitments to appease Trump and his fossil fuel industry allies?

For answers, KG speaks to political economist Professor Patrick Bond (University of Johannesburg) and puts the question directly to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George. A full podcast interview with the minister will be released by Politically Aweh next week. **DM**

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