By Black Star News
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
African countries are bracing for the new Trump tariffs that are scheduled to be imposed starting August 1st.
The Trump White House has stated that they have made tariff-related deals with the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan. No deals have been declared with African nations.
Most of the African nations face 10 percent tariffs on their exports, with some facing steeper tariffs. For example, Lesotho faces a 50 percent rate, which is the most exorbitant charge in Africa. In fact, Lesotho declared a state of emergency for fear of the ramifications to its textile industry.
In South Africa, the government is preparing for a 30 percent tariff on its exports. Officials say they are seeking a trade deal with Washington. Reports say reaching a deal has been difficult because of demands related to addressing laws, in South Africa, implemented to tackle racial inequities from the apartheid period.
Relations between the two countries have soured ever since South Africa launched an action that took Israel to the International Court of Justice on a charge of genocide. The tensions were exacerbated when Trump falsely accused South Africa of engaging in genocide against white citizens of South Africa during a White House visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and members of his cabinet.
Recently, Trump repeated the charge while declaring that he wouldn’t be attending the upcoming G20, which will take place in November, in South Africa. Trump said that “I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa.”
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