By Andrew Bahlmann
As the US presidential election nears, the prospect of Donald Trump returning to office raises significant questions about the global economic landscape.
For South Africa, Trump's potential re-election could have multifaceted implications, particularly in areas such as the economy, mergers and acquisitions M A activity, and the overall ease of doing business.
Trump's economic policies during his first term were characterised by a strong emphasis on protectionism, with a focus on America First. Should he return to office, South Africa might face similar policies, potentially leading to tighter trade conditions.
Trump's approach to trade often involved tariffs and renegotiating trade agreements to favour US interests. This could be aggravated by the close ties the previous South African government forged with US protagonists, such as Russia, China and Iran, and its anti-Israeli stance. This may consequently pose challenges for South African businesses in an America First environment.