By: Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, D.S
In a significant shift in trade policy, President Donald Trump has announced a 10 percent reciprocal tariff on all goods imported from Sierra Leone, part of his overarching “Liberation Day” trade initiative designed to recalibrate U.S. trade relationships.
The President stated that countries imposing tariffs on U.S. goods would be subjected to a tariff rate of half their current tax, with a minimum of 10 percent, factoring in non-monetary trade barriers and currency manipulation. The newly instituted tariffs reflect the existing duties Sierra Leone places on U.S. exports.
This policy shift affects 185 countries and has brought an end to months of uncertainty that had severely impacted stock markets across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The announcement comes on the heels of plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on all foreign-made vehicles within the week, signaling an escalation in the ongoing trade war.
Trump remarked that while he considered a full reciprocal tariff structure, he opted for a more moderated approach to accommodate countries that may struggle with heightened trade restrictions. “The tariffs will be not a full reciprocal,” he explained. “I could have done that, yes, but it would have been tough for a lot of countries who didn’t want to do that.”
According to data from the White House, trade between the U.S. and Sierra Leone surpassed $123 million in 2022, with a significant portion attributed to minerals, metals, and agricultural products. The long-term impacts of these tariffs on Sierra Leone’s economy remain uncertain, raising concerns for the West African nation.
In addition to Sierra Leone, several other African countries will face similar tariffs under the new policy, including Nigeria (14 percent), Algeria (30 percent), Lesotho (50 percent), Mauritius (40 percent), Kenya (10 percent), Namibia (21 percent), Ethiopia, and Ghana (10 percent each). South Africa will bear a reciprocal duty of 30 percent.
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