The issue of tariffs was thrown into stark relief yesterday when the DTIC failed to extend tariffs on chicken imports as food costs rise.
And its interesting to note against the backdrop of a recent tariff application by the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) to ITAC for the imposition of additional duties on tyres imported from China.
No doubt this will concern every South African motorist and the taxi, bus and trucking sectors, which could be hard hit if additional duties are imposed on imported tyres.
The four large domestic tyre producers – Continental, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Sumitomo, collectively known as the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), maintains that its application to investigate the unfair trade caused by dumped imports of passenger, truck and bus tyres imported from China, is part of a sustained effort to rescue the local tyre industry and the livelihoods dependent upon it.
SATMC was invited to participate on this panel but declined.

Joining Michael Avery for this discussion is Charl de Villiers, Chairperson at Tyre Importers Association of South Africa; Donald MacKay, CEO and founder of XA International Trade Advisors and Theo Malele, Spokesperson of National Taxi Alliance