Africa’s trade relationship with the U.S. is about to experience a major shift, as President Donald Trump recently unveiled a bold new tariff policy targeting more than 180 countries, including several African nations.
- Business Insider Africa presents the full list of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs for African countries.
- Trump has labeled the implementation of these tariffs as “Liberation Day,”
- This policy is already causing ripples in the global trade landscape.
Africa’s trade relationship with the U.S. is about to experience a major shift, as President Donald Trump recently unveiled a bold new tariff policy targeting more than 180 countries, including several African nations
Trump’s new trade strategy, which he has referred to as “kind,” is designed to counteract foreign tariffs, trade barriers, and currency manipulation that his administration claims have placed U.S. businesses at a disadvantage. Under this policy, countries that don’t have specific trade agreements with the U.S. will face a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S.
The concept behind reciprocal tariffs is simple: if a country imposes a high tariff on U.S. goods, the U.S. will respond by imposing a similar or equal tariff on goods from that country. For African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, which have long-standing trade agreements with the U.S., this could introduce significant changes to existing economic ties.
The 10% baseline tariff ensures that countries not covered by the reciprocal tariff system will still face some level of protectionist measures when exporting to the U.S. This marks a clear departure from the more open trade policies that have previously defined U.S.-Africa relations.
This policy is already causing ripples in the global trade landscape. Many nations, including African countries, may retaliate by imposing their own tariffs on U.S. exports, creating a cycle of escalating trade tensions.
Critics argue that this could lead to higher consumer prices and economic instability, while supporters believe it will level the playing field and promote domestic job growth in the U.S.
Trump has labeled the implementation of these tariffs as “Liberation Day,” framing it as a necessary step to end what he views as unfair trade practices by other nations.
As global markets react, it remains to be seen whether these changes will strengthen the U.S. economy or lead to a new era of trade disputes with countries, including those in Africa.
Below are the African countries along with their respective tax rates and the tax they charge the U.S.:
- South Africa – 30% (charges U.S. 60%)
- Madagascar – 47% (charges U.S. 93%)
- Tunisia – 28% (charges U.S. 55%)
- Egypt – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Côte d’Ivoire – 21% (charges U.S. 41%)
- Botswana – 37% (charges U.S. 74%)
- Morocco – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Algeria – 30% (charges U.S. 59%)
- Nigeria – 14% (charges U.S. 27%)
- Namibia – 21% (charges U.S. 42%)
- Ethiopia – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Ghana – 10% (charges U.S. 17%)
- Angola – 32% (charges U.S. 63%)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 11% (charges U.S. 22%)
- Mozambique – 16% (charges U.S. 31%)
- Zambia – 17% (charges U.S. 33%)
- Tanzania – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Senegal – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Cameroon – 11% (charges U.S. 22%)
- Uganda – 10% (charges U.S. 20%)
- Gabon – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Togo – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Malawi – 17% (charges U.S. 34%)
- Liberia – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Zimbabwe – 18% (charges U.S. 35%)
- Benin – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Republic of the Congo – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Djibouti – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Rwanda – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Sierra Leone – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Sudan – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Niger – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Equatorial Guinea – 13% (charges U.S. 25%)
- Libya – 31% (charges U.S. 61%)
- Guinea – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Chad – 13% (charges U.S. 26%)
- Mali – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Mauritania – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Burundi – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Central African Republic – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Eritrea – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- South Sudan – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Comoros – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- São Tomé and Príncipe – 10% (charges U.S. 10%)
- Guinea-Bissau – 10% (charges U.S. 10%).
