JOHANNESBURG, July 14 - The South African rand was mostly on shaky ground on Monday as investors mulled over U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats.
At 1358 GMT the rand traded at 17.89 against the dollar , about 0.3 stronger than Friday's close, after trading uncomfortably closer to the 18 rand per dollar mark earlier in the day.
Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from two of the largest U.S. trading partners - the European Union and Mexico - beginning August 1.
South Africa also faces the prospect of a 30% trade tariff on its exports to the United States as well as an additional 10% levy because of its membership of the BRICS group of developing nations.
Data from South Africa's auto association NAAMSA showed that car exports to the United States dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025, and tumbled more than 80% in April and May after import tariffs imposed by Trump hit automakers' sales.
South Africa's statistics agency will release mining output figures on Tuesday and retail sales data on Wednesday that should provide clues to the health of Africa's most industrialised economy.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Top-40 index was down 0.3%.
The country's benchmark 2035 government bond was also on the backfoot, as the yield rose 3 basis points to 9.905%.
Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Kevin Liffey
Source: Reuters