Trump Unveils 10% Tariffs on Imports From Africa and the Caribbean
President Donald Trump told reporters that every product shipped to the United States from “smaller nations” in Africa and the Caribbean will face a 10 percent tariff beginning Aug. 1. The blanket levy, confirmed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, affects more than 100 countries that together account for a small slice of U.S. imports but rely heavily on tariff-free access for apparel, agriculture, and minerals.
Markets reacted swiftly: the S&P 500 slipped in pre-market trading, the Jamaican dollar hit a four-month low, and cocoa futures jumped on fears of higher costs for West African beans. Trade economists warn the move could squeeze developing-nation exporters and raise prices on items like tropical fruit, rum, and finished textiles just ahead of the holiday retail season.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders called an emergency session, while the African Union said it would seek talks “at the highest level” to avert wider fallout. The administration left the door open to individual deals, but warned that any retaliatory duties would be met “dollar-for-dollar.” With earlier tariffs on Europe, Mexico, and Asia already roiling supply chains, businesses now face yet another layer of uncertainty in the run-up to August.
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