This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dgmyzqr6do

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
How Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are hit by Donald Trump's tariffs How Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are hit by Donald Trump's tariffs
(32 minutes later)
Donald Trump's tariffs come as many African countries grapple with the recent US aid cutsDonald Trump's tariffs come as many African countries grapple with the recent US aid cuts
US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs of 50% on all imports from Lesotho, the second highest rate of any country in the world after China. Lesotho was slapped with the White House's highest tariff rates in the list released by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
The tiny southern African country has a large trade surplus with the US, mostly from diamonds and textiles, including jeans. Americans bringing goods in from the small southern African country will have to pay an additional 50% import tax.
Trump has announced a minimum rate of 10% on all countries' imports to the US and additional "reciprocal tariffs" for dozens of countries, including 20 in Africa. The US has a big trade deficit with Lesotho, which sells textiles – including jeans – and diamonds to America.
The 50% rate for Lesotho was part of what Trump described as "reciprocal tariffs" imposed on imports from dozens of countries, including 20 in Africa. All nations face a minimum rate of 10%.
One of Trump's aims with his tariff announcement is to reduce his country's trade deficit with the rest of the world.
And this gives a clue as to why Lesotho has been hit so hard.
According to White House figures, in 2024 while the US exported just $2.8m (£2.1m) worth of goods to Lesotho, its imports from the southern African country amounted to $237.3m.
In their calculations, US officials used the difference between the value of imports and exports in setting the tariff rates for different countries.
In recent years, Lesotho has been successful in selling textiles to the US, making the most of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). This US legislation from 2000 allowed eligible African countries to send some goods to the US without having tariffs slapped on them.
Signed into law by President Bill Clinton, Agoa was intended to help African countries grow their economies and create jobs, but these tariffs appear to threaten its future.
Lesotho's garment factories have made jeans for iconic American brands such as Levi's and Wrangler in recent years.
Clothes make up nearly three-quarters of what Lesotho exports to the US – its second biggest trading partner after South Africa.
The value of that US trade amounts to more than 10% of its total annual national income. The extra costs that the tariffs will incur for American buyers could reduce demand and therefore have a big impact on Lesotho's economy.
Colette van der Ven, a lawyer who specialises in international trade, told the BBC that the 50% figure Trump has imposed on Lesotho "makes little sense logically".
She described it as "ironic" that the US was effectively punishing Lesotho for the success it has enjoyed under Agoa.
"It's this sense that the US is being taken advantage of because it's running a trade deficit. It's really reflective of a new ideology about trade and who is benefiting and who is not".
Other African countries hit with extra tariffs include 47% for Madagascar, 40% for Mauritius, 37% for Botswana and 30% for South Africa.Other African countries hit with extra tariffs include 47% for Madagascar, 40% for Mauritius, 37% for Botswana and 30% for South Africa.
Nigerian exports will be hit too - at a rate of 14%.Nigerian exports will be hit too - at a rate of 14%.
Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and Liberia were among those countries whose exports to the US will be subject to the baseline tariff of 10%. Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and Liberia were among those countries whose exports to the US will be subject to the baseline tariff of 10%. The US is not running a trade deficit with these countries.
Trump said the reciprocal tariffs were "for countries that treat us badly".Trump said the reciprocal tariffs were "for countries that treat us badly".
Tariffs are additional taxes charged on goods imported from other countries.
During Wednesday's announcement at the White House, the Republican president said that the US had been taken advantage of by "cheaters" and had been "pillaged" by foreigners.During Wednesday's announcement at the White House, the Republican president said that the US had been taken advantage of by "cheaters" and had been "pillaged" by foreigners.
"Our taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it is not going to happen any more," Trump said."Our taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it is not going to happen any more," Trump said.
"It's our declaration of economic independence," he added while holding up a chart showing a list of countries that charge higher tariffs on US goods, impose "non-tariff" barriers to US trade or have otherwise acted in ways US officials feel undermine American economic goals. South Africa is part of the long list of countries dubbed the "worst offenders", which also includes China, Japan and the European Union. These now face higher US rates - payback for unfair trade policies, Trump said.
The US is Lesotho's second biggest trading partner – after South Africa – amounting to around 28% of its total trade in 2022.
According to the White House, in 2024 while the US exported just $2.8m (£2.1m) worth of goods to Lesotho, its imports from the southern African country amounted to $237.3m.
The 50% tariff figure appears to have been reached through US officials looking at the relationship between the trade deficit with Lesotho and the total value of goods imported from Lesotho into the US.
For Lesotho, the extra costs that the tariffs will incur for American buyers could have a big impact as the country's US trade amounts to more than 10% of its total economy.
Lesotho's garment factories have made jeans for iconic American brands such as Levi's and Wrangler in recent years. These exports were done through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which allows eligible African countries to send some goods to the US without having tariffs slapped on them.
Agoa, signed into law by Bill Clinton in 2000, was intended to help African countries grow their economies and create jobs but these tariffs appear to threaten its future.
South Africa is included in the long list of countries dubbed the "worst offenders", which also involve China, Japan and the European Union - that now face higher US rates - payback for unfair trade policies, Trump said.
"They have got some bad things going on in South Africa. You know, we are paying them billions of dollars, and we cut the funding because a lot of bad things are happening in South Africa," he said, before going on to name other countries."They have got some bad things going on in South Africa. You know, we are paying them billions of dollars, and we cut the funding because a lot of bad things are happening in South Africa," he said, before going on to name other countries.
US-South Africa relations have become increasingly strained since the start of the Trump presidency in January.
South Africa's biggest export to the US is platinum, which may be exempted from the import tax. But its second biggest export - cars - will be hit hard.South Africa's biggest export to the US is platinum, which may be exempted from the import tax. But its second biggest export - cars - will be hit hard.
In a statement, the South African presidency condemned the new tariffs as "punitive", saying they could "serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity".In a statement, the South African presidency condemned the new tariffs as "punitive", saying they could "serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity".
The White House released a list of roughly 100 countries and the tariff rates that the US would impose on what Trump dubbed "liberation day" for the American people.The White House released a list of roughly 100 countries and the tariff rates that the US would impose on what Trump dubbed "liberation day" for the American people.
Trump added 34% of so-called reciprocal tariffs to existing 20% duties on all Chinese imports to the US, making it the highest rate globally. Trump added 34% to the existing 20% duties on all Chinese imports to the US, making it the highest rate globally.
In addition, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars.In addition, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars.
The US is expected to start charging the 10% tariffs on 5 April, with the higher duties for certain nations starting on 9 April.The US is expected to start charging the 10% tariffs on 5 April, with the higher duties for certain nations starting on 9 April.
African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya have long had trade agreements with the US, and the new tariffs could significantly affect existing economic ties. African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya have long-standing trade relations with the US, and the new tariffs could significantly affect existing economic ties.
The tariffs come as many African countries are already grappling with the effects of US foreign aid cuts, which provided health and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable countries. Annabel Bishop, chief economist at Investec, a South Africa-based banking and investment firm, believes the impact will be "very negative".
But she told the BBC that the tariffs could accelerate the current shift in Africa's trading practices.
"What we would expect to see is greater trade with the Global South, where possible, [there] is likely to be some switching in trade partners."
The tariffs also come in as many African countries are already grappling with the effects of US foreign aid cuts, which provided health and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable nations.
Trump announced the aid freeze on his first day in office in January as part of a review into the US government spending.Trump announced the aid freeze on his first day in office in January as part of a review into the US government spending.
US-South Africa relations have deteriorated sharply since Trump returned to power. Additional reporting by Basillioh Rukanga, Mayeni Jones and Cecilia Macaulay
Trump and his ally, South-Africa born Elon Musk, have singled out South Africa, in particular criticising it over its land reform policies that they say discriminate against white farmers.
Economists say the new tariffs mark a clear departure from the more open trade policies that have previously defined US-Africa relations.
Additional reporting by Damian Zane in London & Basillioh Rukanga in Nairobi
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica