Africa Prepares for US Tariffs as Trump Threatens Additional Levies

African nations are bracing for economic turbulence as US President Donald Trump pushes ahead with steep new tariffs initially announced in April. Trump also threatened an additional 10% levy on countries aligned with the BRICS bloc, accusing the group of pursuing anti-American policies. With a three-month reprieve ending on Wednesday, tariffs—some as high as 70%—are set to take effect on August 1. While some African countries, such as South Africa, have tried to cut trade deals with the US, none have been successful. Meanwhile, the tariffs’ ripple effects are already being felt with several countries looking to diversify their export destinations. For instance, South Africa is pursuing new trade deals with Europe, while Ethiopian soy producers have pivoted toward China with a recently announced export agreement.

SEMAFOR