Namibia has called on the United States to respect international trade regulations after Washington imposed a new 21% tariff on Namibian exports, potentially affecting beef, fish, and mineral shipments.
“This unilateral action contradicts the principles of the multilateral trading system, which emphasizes transparency and prior engagements before members enact decisions that may impact other WTO members,” said Foreign Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi in a statement to parliament on Wednesday.
The foreign minister warned that the new tariffs—effective immediately—risk undermining Namibia’s trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and could drive up export prices, reducing the country’s competitiveness in the U.S. market.
She added that the government will:
- Track the impact of the U.S.’s “America First” policy on existing trade agreements;
- Engage with the U.S. Embassy to evaluate AGOA-related benefits;
- Monitor global reactions to the tariffs for broader economic implications.
- Ensure that any government response is rooted in evidence and economic assessment.
The move by Washington marks a notable shift in its trade stance with African partners, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-Africa economic cooperation under AGOA, which is set to expire in 2025 unless renewed.
