Why We Looked Into This? »👀
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Background to the Trade Tariff
The United States is the world’s second-largest goods exporter, following China, and the largest goods importer. It also leads in both services exports and imports. In an Executive Order titled Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits, announced by President Trump on April 2, 2025 that “large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and economy of the United States”. Trade tariffs were announced on listed countries to correct this deficit.
What African Countries Had a Trade Deficit with The United States?
Africa represents less than 2% of total U.S. global trade. South Africa ($20.5B), Nigeria ($9.9B), Egypt ($8.6B), and Morocco ($7.2B) were the top trading partners that dominated US-Africa trade in 2024. South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt account for over 55% of total trade. The U.S. enjoys a favorable trading position with Egypt and Morocco but a deficit with South Africa, Angola and Nigeria.
- Countries like Angola, Nigeria, and Libya, which export oil and natural resources to the U.S., showed large trade deficits on the U.S. side. Some of the highest year-over-year export growth from the U.S. went to Comoros (+394.4%), Central African Republic (+107.2%), and Chad (+89.9%), albeit from a small base. This suggests expanding trade relationships or recovering markets.
- Some countries experienced dramatic swings in trade balance. For example, the U.S. shifted from a $91.1M surplus to a $55.7M deficit with Cameroon, while countries like Burundi and Rwanda saw their surpluses increase by over 2000% due to reduced imports and/or sharp export growth
- Some AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) eligible countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana, had uneven trade balances. For example, Ethiopia saw a -43.6% collapse in U.S. exports, while Kenya’s trade grew steadily (+7.3% exports).
U.S. Trade with Africa: Tariffs, Imports, and Trade Balance Insights [2024 Data]
Lesotho with a $234.5M trade deficit received the highest tariff among African countries on the tariff list. In 2024, U.S. total goods trade with Lesotho amounted to $240.1 million. While U.S. imports from Lesotho accounted for $237.3 million, the U.S. goods trade deficit with Lesotho expanded to $234.5 million in 2024, representing a 5.0% rise ($11.1 million) compared to 2023. Meanwhile, South Africa has the highest trade volume with the U.S. in Africa and largest trade deficit of $8.9b (for the U.S.) and received a 30% tariff
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