“Trade protection appears to be a politically attractive policy tool because of a certain degree of asymmetric information in society: most voters appreciate the immediate gains for the protected industries and underestimate the costs for the economy in the long run. Protectionist measures thereby generate public support, which of course is relevant in democracies. However, the knowledge about trade policy distortions and welfare costs is
not widespread, and an increased public understanding of the economic trade-off caused by South Africa’s trade policy in general needs is needed. South Africa’s own trade policy measures for different industries can potentially hurt the country’s economy. In addition to tariffs, poor regulation of network industries (such as energy and telecommunications) and
administrative burdens play an important role. Against this background, the latest South African industrial and trade policy initiatives are somewhat disappointing, relying on old interventionist tools and only marginally attacking the major problems in the economy.”
