U.S. Eases Tariffs on African Nations, but Four Face Higher Charges
In a shift in U.S. trade policy, President Donald J. Trump has eased proposed tariffs on imports from several African countries. However, four nations will face increased charges, with three North African countries and South Africa hit with the highest tariff of 30%.
The biggest beneficiary of the policy change is Lesotho, which initially faced a 50% tariff, the highest in the world. The new tariff is 15%, in line with most other affected African nations. Other major beneficiaries include Madagascar, Mauritius, Botswana, and Angola, which saw significant reductions in their tariffs.
However, not all African nations are celebrating. Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and South Africa will now face 30% tariffs. The South African government is still awaiting a response from Washington regarding its proposals to mitigate the impact.
The new tariffs were implemented through an executive order published late on July 31. Other changes include:
- Imports from Namibia and Côte d’Ivoire, previously at 21%, will now be levied at 15%. The same applies to Zimbabwe (from 18%), Malawi and Zambia (from 17%), and Mozambique (from 16%).
- There are slight increases for Nigeria (to 15% from 14%), Chad and Equatorial Guinea (from 13%), Cameroon (from 12%), and the DR Congo (from 11%).
The full list of nations facing 15% levies includes Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A White House fact sheet issued with the executive order noted that countries not named in the order will face a baseline tariff of 10%, as announced by President Trump in April. It also mentioned that some trading partners have agreed to, or are close to finalizing, meaningful trade and security agreements with the U.S. Goods from these countries will be subject to the new tariffs until these agreements are finalized.
