Experts have warned that announcing the tariff for US President Donald Trump about most trading partners, including many of them in Africa, will affect companies and people throughout the continent, and are likely to force more producers to trade with China.
Trump’s announcement “Liberation Day” on Wednesday The markets were thrown into chaosAs the United States has taken its strongest role into protectionist policies since the 1930s, which weakened the World Trade System that helped the United States build and strengthen.
Definitions, It includes the basis duty, a 10 percent global duty on all American imports in addition to the additional customs tariffs on countries of “worst crimes” such as Nigeria and South Africa, may exceed an open trade agreement for decades that have witnessed that the United States manufacturing companies have been exempt from the United States, which were credited with creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Established in 2000, the framework of the African Growth and Opportunities Law (AIR) helped in developing the continent’s exports of textiles, steel and agricultural products, from other things, to the United States.
August for a second renewal has been appointed this year, but it is now possible that it will be at risk due to Trump’s trade war, according to analysts.
Here is what to know about how African countries are injured and what are the possible effects:
What are the African countries that were afflicted and how much?
It was the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria (14 percent) and South Africa (31 percent), among those in the list of “mutual” definitions of Trump – that is, the countries said the President said, “We treated us badly.”
Among them are those who impose a high tariff on American goods or presented other barriers to American trade, according to Washington. These customs duties will be valid on April 9, while global tariffs begin on April 5.
South African countries have been particularly badly. Lesoto, the South African Small State that Trump claimed to “” No one “last month, was injured with The highest tariff rates In 50 percent. The country, which bears the second highest HIV burden for anyone else in the world, is still shocking Trump’s sweeping discounts earlier and that destroyed HIV response efforts throughout the region.
Other South African countries were: Madagascar (47 %); Mauritius (40 %); Botswana (37 percent); And Angola (32 percent).
South Africa was also affected earlier in a 25 percent separate tariff on all foreign cars that came into effect this week. South Africa is exporting vehicles and spare parts worth $ 2 billion to the United States under the framework of Airlines, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition in the country.
Below is the customs duties that exceed 10 percent imposed on other African countries:
- Algeria – 30 percent
- Cameroon – 12 percent
- Chad -13 percent
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 11 %
- Equatorial Guinea – 13 %
- Ivory Coast – 21 percent
- Libya – 31 percent
- Malawi – 18 percent
- Mozambique – 16 Peters
- Namibia – 21 percent
- Tunisia – 28 percent
- Zambia – 17 percent
- Zimbabwe – 18 %
What did African governments say?
The government of South Africa, which has participated in a series of quarrels with Washington in recent weeks, has been the first to respond to the high tariff.
In a statement on Thursday, the office of President Cyril Ramavusa launched a customs tariff for the country “punitive” and added that they “will be an obstacle to trade and the joint of prosperity.” The government also pledged to search for remedy with Washington.
The presidency noticed the newly imposed definitions on South African exports to the United States of America (USA). https://t.co/y3ygjd7ekp
Presidency 🇿🇦 (Presidencyza) April 3, 2025
“Definitions confirm the urgency to negotiate a bilateral and beneficial trade agreement with the benefit with the United States, as a basic step to secure long -term commercial certainty.”
According to the government of the United States, South Africa is receiving a 60 percent tariff for American goods, while Lesoto receives 99 percent. Madagascar, the White House claimed 93 percent on American goods, and Mauritius, 80 percent.
Trump and his close ally, Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, criticized South Africa for land reform policies that they claim were distinguished against the country’s white minorities. Trump also submitted the nationality of South Africa. On Wednesday, during his announcement, Trump said, “Bad things happen there.”
How will the customs tariff affect the age?
Experts say the definitions will significantly affect African economies that depend on American trade, and that they will effectively overcome since Privileges. Currently, 32 African countries are qualified for the program. Countries can be, and they have been removed from the list – such as Niger and Jabon, whose benefits were lost after the military coups.
In September, Agirat, which ends in September, is granted access from fees to more than 1,800 producers from sub -Saharan African Sahara and formed the backbone of the US -African trade policy for 25 years. It was renovated for 10 years in 2015. Chocolate and the same basketball from Mauritius, musical instruments from Mali and nuts from Mozambique are among the products that have reached American buyers through August.
Although it is still officially working, it is not clear whether the Trump administration will renew it again. Trump’s tariff ads are certainly “set all the way to death,” Chita Nawans, the main partner of the Risk Analysis Company in Lagos, SBM Intelligence, told Al Jazerera.
He said: “The African countries are not famous for providing fixed geopolitical positions, so many of them will try to stick to the age, which means that he will go to a zombie position instead of death.”
The program has been welcomed by economists for years to open the American market for African manufacturers, although critics say that strict production and packaging requirements are often preferred to major economies. Kenya’s sales, especially textiles and clothes, moved from $ 55 million in 2001 to $ 603 million in 2022.
What are the most affected countries?
South Africa and Nigeria are the best commercial partners in the United States on the continent. South Africa is primarily exporting gemstones, steel products and cars (especially from BMW South Africa) to the United States. Nigeria exports crude oil and other petroleum products. On the other hand, the United States exports crude oil, electrical commodities and aircraft to South Africa, most of which are vehicles and machines to Nigeria.
Ghana (cocoa and crude), Ethiopia (coffee) and Kenya (textiles, tea) also record large amounts of trade with the United States annually at ARA. Although they are not included as “crime perpetrators”, these countries face global tariffs of 10 percent.
Analysts say the heavier definitions may compete but largely negative for African manufacturers, and may lead to increased cost of living and loss of jobs that affect the public population.
“Increased export costs would reduce competitiveness, which may reduce revenues and reinforce economics,” Numas of SBM Intelligence told Al Jazerera.
He added that the sectors such as agricultural and mineral companies are likely to be especially weak, as most African manufacturers sell raw goods, not final products, to the United States.
Nigeria is still in charge of a cost -cost living crisis that led to high levels of hunger and poverty. South Africa, at the same time, is already registered some of the highest unemployment levels in the world, with an estimated six out of 10 people. Experts there earlier estimated that a 25 percent blanket tariff would be “the worst scenario”.
Speaking to the South African publication before Trump’s announcement, Casey Spac, an economist at the investment company in South Africa, said a 25 percent scenario could reduce the country’s economic growth between 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points. The country has ended with 31 percent.
How will African countries interact?
In the short term, it seems that countries like South Africa want to think with Trump for more favorable conditions.
In a statement earlier this week, Trade Minister Parks Tao said that the country was urgently seeking to attend a meeting with Washington. Tau noted that South Africa’s auto exports represent only 0.99 percent of total auto imports in the United States and 0.27 percent of automatic parts – the numbers that he said barely threatened the United States market.
In general, the African countries are likely to turn into alternative commercial partners, such as China, to avoid the American tariff, as added. Indeed, nearly 20 years ago, China has exceeded the United States as a commercial partner in Africa and represents one of the largest bilateral lenders on the continent.
China imports initial goods, such as crude oil, iron ore and copper and are increasingly focused on agricultural products. On the other hand, the country emit the final products, such as electronics, to the continent.
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