trump tarrifs

On April 3, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Marshall Plan—an ambitious act of American generosity that helped rebuild war-torn Europe and rewove the fabric of global trade. Seventy-seven years later, on the exact same date, President Donald J. Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports into the United States.

The symbolism is unmissable.

Where Truman once flung open the doors of international cooperation, Trump is barricading them with levies. But beyond the optics, the real-world implications of this protectionist lurch are global—and yes, Africa must pay close attention.

Trump’s Tariff Tsunami and Its African Wake

While President Trump frames these new tariffs as a path to “economic liberation” for the American worker, the reverberations will be felt far beyond Rust Belt factories. For African nations like Kenya, which export goods to the U.S. under trade preference regimes like AGOA, this move introduces uncertainty and potential disruption.

Exports such as Kenya’s textiles and apparel, Ethiopia’s leather goods, Lesotho’s denim jeans, and Madagascar’s vanilla could all become less competitive overnight if tariff walls go up—even under AGOA. In 2023 alone, AGOA exports to the U.S. totaled over $6.7 billion, with South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya among the top beneficiaries.

On the flip side, Africa also imports heavily from the U.S.—including agricultural equipment, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and used cars. Nigeria, for example, imports American wheat and medical devices; South Africa is a major importer of U.S. aerospace parts and chemicals. If the U.S. economy takes a knock or if reciprocal tariffs arise, these supply chains may be disrupted or become more expensive for African businesses and consumers.

Africa: A Teachable Moment, A Tactical Opening

Ironically, there’s something to learn from Trump’s boldness.

Trump’s tariff push—flawed as it may be—challenges African countries to reflect on how deeply their economies depend on the goodwill of external actors. If the world’s largest economy is unafraid to retreat inward to protect its interests, why should African countries hesitate to do the same in smart, strategic ways?

Africa cannot tariff its way to prosperity, but it can build a more self-reliant, resilient economic model. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is not just a diplomatic trophy—it’s the lifeboat. Deepening intra-African trade, investing in local manufacturing, and nurturing homegrown industries must be more than talking points. They should become the core of national development strategies.

Kenya, for instance, could expand its domestic textile finishing capacity to serve African fashion houses. Nigeria can increase its refining capacity for petroleum products instead of exporting crude and importing fuel. Ghana can invest in local fertilizer production using natural gas. South Africa can unlock more value from its platinum and lithium through local battery production for EVs—before exporting them.

As Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, recently said:
“We must stop being the backyard of others. It is time for Africa to stand on its feet and determine its own path.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a more diplomatic tone at the last BRICS summit, echoed a similar sentiment:
“Africa cannot be a passive player in the global economy. We must trade with one another and build industries that serve our people.”

The message is clear: sovereignty must include industrial sovereignty.

What It Means for Consumers

For the American consumer, tariffs mean higher prices—from electronics to food. As input costs rise, inflationary pressures mount, potentially curbing spending power. What Trump sells as “economic protection” could become a wallet drain.

For the African consumer, the danger is twofold: imported U.S. goods become more expensive, and global inflation trickles down through fuel and food prices. Already, African countries like Ghana and Malawi are grappling with currency depreciation and rising import bills.

But this can also be a pivot point.
African consumers must shift mindsets—from imported prestige to homegrown quality. Governments should create incentives for buying local, from Nollywood films to Nigerian shea butter, Rwandan coffee, and South African solar panels. Public procurement must favour domestic producers—not just foreign contractors.

The Bigger Picture: A Cautionary Tale

The danger with Trump’s approach lies not just in the policy—it’s the precedent. If every major economy begins to weaponize trade, the global South stands to lose most. Africa must remain an advocate for fair trade, not free-for-all trade.

But fair trade also starts at home. African leaders must protect their farmers and industries, demand transparency in trade deals, and stop exporting raw materials only to reimport them as overpriced finished goods. Trump’s tariffs may be a blunt instrument, but they carry an unspoken challenge to developing nations: define your economic interests—or have them defined for you.

Gem Musings is a seasoned International Relations and Public Affairs Strategist with extensive experience in global diplomacy, communication, and policy analysis.