With a 30-percent U.S. tariff on South African exports set to take effect on Friday, the South African government said Monday it would continue engaging with the United States to secure a trade deal that serves both nations' interests. Speaking at a media conference in Johannesburg, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said that no agreement had yet been reached, despite South Africa submitting its trade framework proposal in May. The U.S. is South Africa's third-largest trading partner, making up 7.5 percent of total trade, with agricultural exports most vulnerable to the looming tariff. Lamola warned that the proposed tariff could reduce South Africa's gross domestic product by 0.2 percentage points. South Africa seeks to conclude deals that promote value addition and industrialization, rather than extractive relations that deprive the country of the ability to benefit from its mineral wealth by mimicking extractive colonial-era trade relations, Lamola said. "It is not out of cowardice that we have refrained from responding, even under very extreme provocation. We are talking about the livelihoods and jobs of people that are at stake. Our relationship also with the U.S. is remaining very important as a mutually beneficial relationship that must be mutually respectful and beneficial," he said. He also highlighted South Africa's efforts to diversify its export markets, particularly in agriculture. Local producers have started exporting lemons, avocados, and apples to China following the signing of bilateral protocol agreements. Similar efforts are underway to expand access to markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. SHOTLIST: FILE: Pretoria, South Africa - Aug 2023 1. National flag of South Africa; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Feb 2025 2. Aerial shot of cityscape; FILE: Cape Town, South Africa - April 2025 3. Various of people working in car manufacturing plant, auto parts, production line; FILE: Cape Town, South Africa - June 2025 4. Aerial shot of harvested citrus; Johannesburg, South Africa - Aug 4, 2025 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ronald Lamola, International Relations and Cooperation Minister (partially overlaid with shot 6): "It is not out of cowardice that we have refrained from responding, even under very extreme provocation. We are talking about the livelihoods and jobs of people that are at stake. Our relationship also with the U.S. is remaining very important as a mutually beneficial relationship that must be mutually respectful and beneficial."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Cape Town, South Africa - June 2025 6. Various of port scene, traffic, cargo ship sailing; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown 7. Various of White House, U.S. national flag; 8. Various of Capitol building, U.S. national flag; ;\ FILE: Detroit, Michigan, USA - March 17, 2025 9. Various of sculptures, buildings. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]