Trump Proposes New Tariffs On Small Nations, Africa, And The Caribbean

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing forward with a controversial trade agenda that could see new tariffs imposed on imports from smaller nations, including several in Africa and the Caribbean. The proposed tariff, reportedly set at over 10 percent are being framed by the administration as part of an effort to ensure what Trump calls “reciprocal” trade treatment.

The plan marks a significant shift in U.S. trade policy, targeting developing economies that have long benefited from preferential access to the American market. Several countries, including Lesotho, are already bracing for the fallout. The small Southern African nation could face tariffs as high as 50 percent on goods exported to the United States, prompting fears of severe economic disruption.

“These are countries. Many of them, you know, like 200 countries,” Trump said when asked to clarify which nations would be affected. “We’ll probably set one tariff for all of them.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed the president’s stance, stating that “the Caribbean countries, African countries there are a lot of them,” and suggesting that applying a single, uniform tariff would be the most efficient approach.

Currently, the proposal is in a three-month consultation period, during which affected countries, trade experts, and international organizations are expected to weigh in. But concerns are already mounting, particularly among nations that rely heavily on exports to the U.S. as a key component of their economic stability.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has urged the United States to reconsider the plan. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that the proposed tariffs could reverse hard-earned economic gains in developing countries and heighten global trade tensions. She specifically called for African nations to be exempt from the duties, citing their vulnerability to external shocks and dependence on U.S. trade for job creation and revenue.

“The livelihoods of millions in these regions are at risk,” Okonjo-Iweala said, adding that such a blanket approach could disrupt supply chains and trigger retaliatory actions.

Several African and Caribbean leaders are reportedly in quiet talks with U.S. officials, hoping to secure exemptions or negotiate alternative arrangements. Trade analysts warn that without flexibility, the tariffs could lead to increased poverty, higher unemployment, and a rollback of development milestones.

As the consultation window progresses, all eyes are on Washington to see whether the administration will revise its approach or press forward with what critics are calling a blunt instrument that could punish some of the world’s most vulnerable economies.