Trump Slaps Heavy Tariffs on African Nations, Citing “Unfair Trade
Major economies like South Africa and Algeria face 30% duties, while over 30 other nations—including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia—received a flat 10% tariff.
The Trump administration has imposed sweeping new tariffs on imports from multiple African countries, with duties ranging as high as 50%, in what the former president called a response to "unfair trade practices" against the U.S./Bloomberg.
By Robert Assad
The Trump administration has imposed sweeping new tariffs on imports from multiple African countries, with duties ranging as high as 50%, in what the former president called a response to “unfair trade practices” against the U.S.
The steepest tariffs target Lesotho (50%), Madagascar (47%), Mauritius (40%), Botswana (37%), and Angola (32%).
Major economies like South Africa and Algeria face 30% duties, while over 30 other nations—including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia—received a flat 10% tariff.
“These countries have taken advantage of American generosity for too long,” Trump said in a statement. “If they won’t trade fairly, they’ll pay the price.”
The move follows his long-standing criticism of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants many African exports duty-free access to U.S. markets.
Economic Shockwaves Feared
African trade experts warn the tariffs could devastate key industries. Lesotho’s textile sector, which supplies major U.S. retailers, faces collapse under the 50% duty. “This is economic warfare against poor nations,” said Thabo Mbeki, a Johannesburg-based trade analyst.
Botswana’s diamond-polishing industry and Madagascar’s vanilla exporters—both hit with tariffs above 35%—may shift trade to China and Europe.
South Africa’s automotive sector, which ships $3 billion annually to the U.S., called the 30% duty “a potential death blow.”
Political Backlash Grows
The African Union condemned the move as “punitive and counterproductive,” while Nigeria’s trade minister accused Trump of “bullying developing economies.”
Critics note the tariffs exempt oil-rich nations like Equatorial Guinea (13%) and Gabon (10%), suggesting political favoritism.
U.S. business groups also protested, fearing retaliatory measures. “Africa is a $500 billion market for American goods,” said a U.S. Chamber of Commerce spokesperson. “This hurts our companies more than theirs.”
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