South African Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau has warned that the country's automotive and steel sectors must decarbonize to remain competitive. Strategic trade partners, including the UK and EU, are implementing carbon taxes on intensive exports, which threatens the economic viability of factories relying on fossil fuels. This shift highlights the growing impact of international carbon border adjustments on emerging markets. For South African industry, the transition to low carbon production is no longer optional if they intend to maintain access to major global markets.
