Trade union Solidarity revealed on Wednesday that it will soon make another trip to the US amid the tariff announcement by the US, but in the meantime, the organisation has devised a five-point plan to salvage the situation.

Last week, US President Donald Trump confirmed that reciprocal tariffs of 30% would be implemented on South African goods from August 7.

Relations between South Africa and Trump’s administration came to a head earlier this year, after the signing of the Expropriation Act, tensions which many believe were exacerbated by the Solidarity Movement and its members AfriForum and Solidarity lobbying the US.

However, the Solidarity Movement and its organisations have instead blamed the South African government, and particularly the African National Congress (ANC), for alienating the US and straining tensions.

The organisation’s plan consists of liaisons with the South African and US governments; support for those who may lose employment once the tariff comes into effect, as well as alternatives employment opportunities for them; collaboration with other organisations to create a broad network to assist in resolving the relationship between South Africa and the US, while supporting affected South African industries; and the creation of a barometer to reflect the impact of increased tariffs on industries.

“Solidarity has also been in discussions over the past few days with political parties, other trade unions and various civil society organisations about how they can work together to help resolve the dispute between the USA and South Africa, and to implement interim measures to assist industries and communities. Solidarity will soon travel to the USA once again to engage in discussions with interest groups and hopes that the South African government will realise the seriousness of the situation before then,” said the organisation.

It said it has already requested talks with both countries’ governments, and has also made proposals to them.

The organisation says it has also created a plan to protect the jobs of its members and offer support.

It went on to reiterate its belief that if government addresses issues such as property rights protection, farm murders, hate speech against farmers, BEE laws and neutral foreign policies, it may keep South Africa in better stead with the US.

Solidarity accused the government of not adequately engaging with the US to stave off the tariffs and even went so far as to claim that the ANC’s handling of the issue was an act of violence against South Africans.

It said it was one of many role-players that would “use their influence and contacts” to negotiate a better agreement for South Africans.