South Africa is considering raising tariffs on vehicles from China and India to as high as 50%, aiming to protect its domestic car industry from a surge in imports. Officials state that the sharp rise in imported vehicles is hurting local manufacturing. The proposed adjustment would bring tariffs closer to the WTO-permitted maximum, up from the current average of around 25%. China and India, both fellow BRICS members, supplied 75% of South Africa’s vehicle imports in 2024. Imports from China have soared 368% over the past four years, intensifying competition in the affordable car segment.

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