The United States (US) has decided to increase import tariffs across all trading partners, which includes Namibia which will now pay a reciprocal tariff of 21%.
Reciprocal tariffs means the US will impose tariffs on other countries that are equivalent to the tariffs those countries impose on US goods.
Namibia imposes a 42% tariff on imported US products.
According to a statement issued by the White House, these tariffs seek to address the injustices of global trade, reshore manufacturing and drive economic growth for the American people.
“Reciprocal trade is ‘America First’ trade because it increases our competitive edge, protects our sovereignty and strengthens our national and economic security,” reads the statement.
In 2024, the total goods trade between the US and Namibia reached approximately N$7.8 billion.
US exports to Namibia were around N$2.8 billion, showing a decrease of N$289.8 million from the previous year.
US imports from Namibia were roughly N$4.9 billion, marking an increase of approximately N$2.565 billion.
