US LNG exports surge but will buyers in China turn up?
On Monday, the South African rand experienced a decline amid growing concerns over a potential global trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff announcements. The currency was trading at 18.4775 against the U.S. dollar at 0748 GMT, marking a 0.3% drop from its previous closing value.
The U.S. dollar remained relatively stable after President Trump revealed on Sunday his plans to impose an additional 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, adding to the existing metal tariffs. This move by the U.S. administration has heightened worries about the impact on global trade relations.
South Africa is facing additional challenges following an executive order signed by President Trump on Friday. The order cuts U.S. financial assistance to the country, citing disapproval of South Africa’s land policy and its genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Israel, a key U.S. ally. Analysts from ETM Analytics commented on the situation, stating, "SA needs to forge a path without US assistance, which this government must’ve foreseen as a real possibility given its geopolitical position towards Russia, BRICS and Israel/Palestine."
Despite the currency’s weakness, South Africa’s stock market saw a slight uptick, with the Top-40 index showing a marginal gain of about 0.1%. However, the country’s benchmark 2030 government bonds were not as resilient. They weakened in early trading, with yields rising by nine basis points to 9.155%, indicating a drop in bond prices and a negative sentiment among investors regarding South Africa’s economic outlook amidst the latest U.S. policy moves.
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