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Cape Town - Whatever the outcome of the US presidential election, South Africa would have to analyse the impact and find opportunities for trade.
This was the view of Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, which he shared with Fin24 at an election event hosted by the US Consulate in Cape Town early on Wednesday morning.
"The world is changing and we have to see the US presidential election the same way as we saw the unexpected Brexit vote," said Winde.
"We have to ask what the election result means for SA's trade, just like we are working with the UK and Europe to find opportunities."
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille told Fin24 at the consulate event that she did not realise the big underlying fears and hidden fears of many US voters.
"Donald Trump played on the fears of people and my biggest fear should he win, will be for a nuclear war," said De Lille.
A Donald Trump presidency could see an extra 15% import tariff slapped onto South African goods landing in the US, an economist said.
This would break a 100-year agreement on a 20% tariff, raising it to 35% and making South African goods seem too expensive, said University of the Witwatersrand lecturer Tinashe Chuchu of the School of Economic and Business Sciences.
"If it spikes by 15% it would discourage foreign nations from doing business," he said.
This could have a negative effect on South Africa's economy with less income and fewer jobs the likely result.
FULL STORY: Trump presidency could usher in import tariff hike for SA
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