Africa on edge as Trump tariffs loom, China courts discontented partners

African nations are racing against time to renegotiate trade terms with the United States, as sweeping tariffs — initially set to begin 1 August — now loom for 7 August following a last-minute executive order by President Donald Trump.
Trump’s latest executive order slaps a uniform 15% tariff on most African exports — threatening industries from textiles to agriculture — and upending decades of preferential treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Countries like South Africa, Tunisia, and Algeria face even harsher rates of up to 30%. The tariffs replace duty-free access previously granted under the AGOA, shaking trade-dependent economies. Lesotho, one of AGOA’s biggest beneficiaries, has declared a state of disaster, citing thousands of textile jobs at risk. Tunisia’s craft sector also braces for a blow, with 80% of artisan goods destined for the U.S.
While some nations were spared the highest proposed rates — Lesotho was once facing a crippling 50% duty — the damage is still severe. South Africa’s citrus growers warn that the U.S. hike could leave fruit rotting in pack-houses, while the auto sector fears disinvestment. As uncertainty swirls, China is positioning itself as an alternative, offering tariff-free deals and expanding trade ties, according to a new article by CNN. “We (Africa) are going straight into the hands of China,” Nigerian economist Bismarck Rewane told the US. broadcaster. But analysts caution that over-reliance on China may expose Africa to new vulnerabilities, including market flooding and skewed trade terms. With the 7 August deadline looming, African leaders — largely sidelined in recent U.S. negotiations — face tough choices: secure relief from Washington or pivot decisively toward Beijing.