By GhanaNewsPage 
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the United States redefined its global trade policies, largely through the aggressive use of reciprocal tariffs.
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These tariffs were designed to ensure fair trade by mirroring the import duties other nations imposed on U.S. goods. While countries like China and those in the European Union dominated headlines, many African nations were significantly affected.
In this article, we explore the list of countries Trump reciprocal tariffs affect for Africa and around the world, with a deep dive into the specific tariff percentages and their lasting economic impact.
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What Are Reciprocal Tariffs?
Reciprocal tariffs are trade tools that impose equal tariffs in response to those levied by foreign governments. If a country charges the U.S. a 40% import duty on vehicles, the U.S. can impose the same 40% on that country’s vehicle exports.
This approach was central to Trump’s “America First” economic strategy, reshaping how countries—especially those in developing regions like Africa—engaged with the United States.
African Countries Affected by Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs
Below is the list of African countries and the specific tariff percentages that were imposed or proposed under Trump’s reciprocal trade policy:
| Country | Tariff Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Lesotho | 50% |
| Madagascar | 47% |
| Botswana | 37% |
| Mauritius | 40% |
| South Africa | 30% |
| Angola | 32% |
| Libya | 31% |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 21% |
| Namibia | 21% |
| Zimbabwe | 18% |
| Zambia | 17% |
| Mozambique | 16% |
| Nigeria | 14% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 13% |
| Cameroon | 11% |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 11% |
| Senegal | 10% |
| Tanzania | 10% |
| Uganda | 10% |
| Mali | 10% |
| Sierra Leone | 10% |
Visual Map of Affected Countries
Here’s a graphic representation showing the African countries impacted by Trump’s reciprocal tariffs:
Why These Tariffs Mattered for Africa
Although many African countries benefit from preferential trade agreements like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), Trump’s trade team warned that continued access depended on market reciprocity. The potential loss of duty-free U.S. market access threatened vital sectors such as:
- Textiles in Kenya, Lesotho, and Madagascar
- Agriculture in Nigeria, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire
- Steel and automotive exports from South Africa
As a result, some African nations began reconsidering their own tariff policies and trade partnerships to stay in Washington’s good graces.
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The list of countries Trump reciprocal tariffs affect for Africa and around the world reveals just how far-reaching these policies were. While the goal was to rebalance trade, the consequences for developing economies like those in Africa were profound. Tariffs, it turns out, are not just economic tools—but powerful instruments of diplomacy and negotiation.
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As trade evolves under new leadership, the legacy of these tariffs will continue to shape U.S.-Africa relations for years to come.
