US President Donald Trump has levied an 11 percent tariff on Cameroonian imports, citing Cameroon’s 22 percent tariffs on American goods as the reason.
The new tariffs are part of Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” policy targeting countries trading with the US.
A minimum tariff of 10 percent will apply to all countries, with the new rates set to begin on April 5.
Cameroon was slapped with an 11 percent tariff—slightly above the minimum—under a broader wave of tariffs that affect dozens of nations, including 20 African countries.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Cameroon’s exports to the United States were valued at US$113.28 million in 2021.
Key exports include minerals, crude oil, timber, cocoa, rubber, and bananas.
While the Cameroonian government is yet to officially respond to Trump’s tariffs, the decision is expected to spark discussions in both political and business landscape over the possible economic effects.
Tariffs Badly Hit Southern Africa
Meanwhile, Southern African countries have been the hardest hit by Trump’s tariffs.
Lesotho, which Trump claimed is a country “no one has heard of” last month, received a 50 percent tariff—the highest.
Other affected Southern African countries include Madagascar (47%), Mauritius (40%), Botswana (37%), and Angola (32%).
Here are some of the tariffs exceeding 10 percent imposed on other African countries:
- Algeria – 30 percent
- Cameroon – 11 percent
- Chad – 13 percent
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 11 percent
- Equatorial Guinea – 13 percent
- Ivory Coast – 21 percent
- Libya – 31 percent
- Malawi – 18 percent
- Mozambique – 16 percent
- Namibia – 21 percent
- Tunisia – 28 percent
- Zambia – 17 percent
- Zimbabwe – 18 percent
Some African governments have already pushed back.
In a statement on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office described the tariffs as “punitive” and warned they could “serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity.”
“The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S., as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty,” the statement read.
The US government insists the tariffs are justified. According to the White House, South Africa charges a 60 percent tariff on US goods , while Lesotho charges 99 percent; Madagascar 93 percent and Mauritius 80 percent tariff on US goods.
Impact on AGOA
The move could rubbish the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—a 25-year-old trade framework set to expire this September.
AGOA provides duty-free access to over 1,800 products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including Cameroon.
Currently, 32 African countries are eligible for the program, although some, such as Niger and Gabon, have been removed due to military coups.
South Africa and Nigeria remain the US’s largest trade partners on the continent.
South Africa exports precious stones, steel, and BMW-manufactured vehicles.
Nigeria primarily sends crude oil and other petroleum products. In return, the US exports crude oil, aircraft, and electrical goods to both countries.
But the tariffs could push African nations closer to China, which is already Africa’s top trading partner for nearly two decades.
China imports raw goods, including oil, iron ore, and copper—and increasingly agricultural products. In return, it exports finished goods, particularly electronics and machinery, to the continent.
