The United States imposed additional tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on imports from 60 economies late on Thursday, saying the countries had failed to adequately enforce a ban on goods made with forced labour.
African exporters were among the hardest hit by the new measures, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Friday after temporary worldwide tariffs expired.
Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Angola were all placed in the highest tariff tier, with a 12.5% duty on exports to the United States. None of Africa’s major exporting economies qualified for the preferential 10% tariff rate.
The tariffs come as many African governments seek to expand exports to the United States and attract investment, while also diversifying trade partnerships amid growing global economic uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump introduced the new duties after temporary 10% tariffs expired. He had relied on the stopgap measures after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his broader tariff regime in February.
The affected African countries are among the continent’s largest exporters to the United States, shipping crude oil, minerals, fertilisers, vehicles, agricultural products and manufactured goods.
The tariffs also come as the future of U.S.-Africa trade relations remains uncertain following the expiration of several preferential trade arrangements and Washington’s shift towards reciprocal tariff policies.
The United States has long been an important export market for many African economies, although China and other Asian partners have gained a growing share of the continent’s trade in recent years.
