President Cyril Ramaphosa says the increasingly protectionist environment arising from unilateral tariff actions pose great dangers for countries such as South Africa, and has called for BRICS countries to respond by shifting from crisis management to collective action.

Addressing an extraordinary BRICS leaders meeting on September 8, convened virtually by Brazilian President Lula da Silva to discuss global geopolitical and economic issues, Ramaphosa said the uncertainty of the new trading regime had already negatively affected employment levels in South Africa and presented an obstacle to the country’s growth.

The meeting was also addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, spoke in place of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ramaphosa argued that the current “seismic shifts” in global trade presented both challenges and opportunities in the re-ordering of the global economy.

“Our focus is on strengthening and collaboratively diversifying our trade and investment partnerships with Africa, Asia, the Gulf, the Americas and Europe,” he said, while re-emphasising South Africa’s firm commitment to preserving the multilateral trading system and the World Trade Organisation.

He called for a shift from crisis management to strategic action, and urged BRICS countries to unite in co-creating solutions that could unlock tangible mutual benefits.

“In recent months, we have been in firefighting mode as we deal with disruption and chaos.

“We need to pivot from crisis management to strategic action, from emergency fixes to collective growth and development,” Ramaphosa said.

Against the background of the imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump, who is also prone to making hostile statements, even towards erstwhile allies, Ramaphosa pointedly called on the BRICS leaders to “demonstrate how consensus is built through negotiation and not through coercion”.

“Compromise and trade-offs are the foundation of mutually beneficial outcomes that tangibly improve the lives of our citizens,” he asserted.