Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has said that President Trump’s new 10 percent tariff on Kenyan goods entering the US is among the lowest globally, downplaying the significance of the US president’s move.
While responding to concerned Kenyans online, PS Korir said that the 10 percent tariff aligns Kenya’s export conditions with those of several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
“Tariffs imposed on Kenya are still one of the lowest and at the same level as the UK, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Long term, the solution lies in greater intra-African trade,” Sing’oei stated.
Among the African countries hardest hit by Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs are the Southern African states of Lesotho, whose goods will be hit with a tariff of 50%; Madagascar (47%); Mauritius (40%); Botswana (37%); Angola (32%) South Africa (30%); Namibia (21%); Zimbabwe (18%); Zambia (17%) and Malawi (17%).
North Africa is also among the regions hit: Libya will be charged 31%; Algeria 30%; and Tunisia 28%. In West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire is the hardest hit at 21%, while Nigeria is subjected to a 14% tariff.
Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, and Liberia were among the countries whose exports to the US will be subject to the 10% baseline tariff.
