Cape Town – US President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day “suspension” of trade tariffs for all countries except China. Trump shared the decision via social media, saying that more than 75 countries had contacted the US administration to “negotiate a solution.”
The adjusted tariffs will remain at 10% for three months, Trump wrote.
The decision will bring relief to major exporters such as South Africa, Nigeria and Madagascar, and Lesotho, which has set the highest tariff at 50%. Lesotho reportedly is $264 million more than it was imported in 2022, exported primarily through diamonds and apparel, and is leviing a 99% tariff on US goods.
China is the only country that has not been offered reductions – the US will increase its tariff to 125% after the XI Jinping administration responds to US 34% tariffs by slapping 84% tariffs on imports from the US.
“Based on the lack of respect China has shown to the global market, I am here immediately taking effect of the tariffs charged to China by the United States. Trump wrote from the White House social media account.
