Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Accra (AFCFTA), Wamkele Mene
Trade ministers in Africa will meet on April 14, 2025 to assess the implications of the 10 percent levy on imports on a number of African countries imposed by the US government.
The move, introduced by President Donald Trump, is expected to have significant repercussions for African exporters, many of whom rely on preferential trade agreements to access the US market.
The ministerial meeting will bring together policymakers, economists, and trade experts to discuss strategies for mitigating the impact of rising protectionism and accelerating regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Accra (AFCFTA), Wamkele Mene described President Trump’s decision as a wake up call for the continent, warning that Africa must act swiftly to reduce its dependence on external markets.
In his remarks in Washington, DC, Mene said “The President of the United States has given us a wake-up call. And the wake-up call is that we must accelerate our own economic self-sufficiency. The ministers of trade will meet on April 14, 2025 to deliberate on this matter and exactly how our continent should respond.”
The tariffs could diminish the competitiveness of African goods in the U.S. market, affecting key export sectors such as textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Many of these industries currently benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to the U.S. for eligible African countries.
SP/MA
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