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Strategic Lens

South Africa and United States

First country

Second country

In 2025, South Africa sold USD 8.27 billion of goods to United States and bought USD 7.20 billion from it. Both are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 33 percent in 2023, and 28 percent on average over 2019 to 2023. In 2024, 162 thousand people born in South Africa lived in United States, and 7 thousand people born in United States lived in South Africa.

Benefits

  • BothTrade in goods runs both ways in similar amounts: South Africa sold USD 8.27 billion and United States sold USD 7.20 billion in 2025.
  • BothTwo-way trade in mineral fuels and oils grew 180 percent, from USD 429 million in 2019 to USD 1.20 billion in 2025.
  • BothTwo-way trade in critical minerals and metals grew 60 percent, from USD 50.9 million in 2019 to USD 81.5 million in 2025.

Constraints

  • BothThe two countries' customs reports differ on goods sold by South Africa to United States in 2025: South Africa reports USD 8.27 billion and United States reports USD 16.6 billion.
  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, United States sold USD 1.14 billion of mineral fuels and oils, against USD 56.9 million the other way.
  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 77.9 million of critical minerals and metals, against USD 3.5 million the other way.

Sources: UN Comtrade (public preview API), annual goods trade, HS classification (retrieved 26 September 2026); Wikidata, statements on membership (property P463) (retrieved 26 September 2026); United Nations General Assembly voting data (Voeten, Strezhnev and Bailey), agreement scores (retrieved 25 September 2026); UN DESA International Migrant Stock 2024 (retrieved 25 September 2026)

Last updated on 26 September 2026

At a glance

Goods trade, both ways
USD 15.5 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa
South Africa to United States
USD 8.27 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa
United States to South Africa
USD 7.20 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa

What connects South Africa and United States

Economy

Trade in goodsIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 8.27 billion of goods to United States and bought USD 7.20 billion from it.

Resources

EnergyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 56.9 million of mineral fuels and oils to United States and bought USD 1.14 billion from it.Critical mineralsIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 77.9 million of critical minerals and metals to United States and bought USD 3.5 million from it.Agriculture and foodIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 545 million of agricultural and food products to United States and bought USD 276 million from it.

Industry

Supply chains and manufacturingIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 1.63 billion of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel to United States and bought USD 1.95 billion from it.TechnologyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 137 million of electrical and electronic equipment to United States and bought USD 350 million from it.Pharma and healthIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 10.1 million of pharmaceutical products to United States and bought USD 249 million from it.

Security

Defence and armsIn 2022, South Africa sold USD 4.2 million of arms and ammunition to United States and bought USD 11.9 million from it.Nuclear and spaceIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 13.1 million of nuclear materials, reactors and spacecraft to United States and bought USD 3.3 million from it.

Diplomacy

Multilateral alignmentBoth are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 33 percent in 2023, and 28 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.Diaspora and mobilityIn 2024, 162 thousand people born in South Africa lived in United States, and 7 thousand people born in United States lived in South Africa.

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