Trump’s 90-Day tariff pause excludes China, offers lifeline to African produce exporters
Fresh produce exporters from Africa see a window of relief as the US halts reciprocal tariffs for most countries.
GLOBAL- President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for more than 75 nations, excluding China, in a move that caused immediate gains in US financial markets and fresh hope among global exporters.
However, this announcement came with a sharp spike in tariffs on Chinese goods, now raised to 125%, further deepening tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The decision follows a week of market instability and tit-for-tat tariffs between the two largest economies. Earlier this week, the Trump administration increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 104%, after China imposed 34% tariffs on American goods. In response, China doubled down with an 84% tariff hike, prompting Trump’s late-night announcement.
“This is about fairness,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social. “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the USA, and other countries, is no longer sustainable.”
African exporters welcome breathing room
While China faces higher trade barriers, countries that have not retaliated against earlier US tariffs now get a temporary break. This includes key African exporters of fresh produce, who were bracing for added costs under the new tariffs.
Kenya, which exported US$154 million worth of avocados globally in 2024, counts the US as a growing market. The delay in tariffs now gives its exporters a chance to hold their ground. South Africa, a top citrus exporter with US$1.8 billion in global sales last year, could also expand its US market share during the break.
Madagascar’s vanilla trade, one of the largest suppliers to the US, stands to gain as well. Even Lesotho, though better known for textiles, exports apples and pears that would have been affected by the new duties.
Trade analysts believe this pause offers breathing space for African exporters, many of whom have been facing high duty costs. While steel, aluminium, and automotive tariffs remain intact, the 10% baseline tariff now applies during the negotiation window, except for China.
Markets respond, trade stakes high
Following the announcement, US stock markets surged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up over 1,800 points, while the S&P 500 jumped 7%.
It marked the first positive trading day since the administration introduced the ‘reciprocal tariff’ policy on April 2, which had wiped out nearly $6 trillion in market value globally by the end of last week.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump was personally involved in the tariff discussions with more than 75 countries. “He wants fair trade and real dialogue,” Bessent told reporters.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that the 90-day window offers time to reset trade relationships. “There’s a growing global willingness to work on trade reforms,” he said, pointing to contrasting views between China and the rest of the world.
Analysts, however, warned that the ongoing US-China dispute could still rattle markets. China has said it will “fight to the end” against Washington’s tariff policies.
Meanwhile, the 90-day pause offers short-term hope for African exporters, even as the larger trade landscape remains uncertain.
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