President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on a range of countries, including Afghanistan, which will now face a 10% tariff on exports to the United States. The new tariffs are part of Trump’s strategy to increase U.S. production and strengthen the economy. Afghanistan exports goods like saffron, dried fruit, carpets, handicrafts, and certain minerals to the U.S., with a total value of nearly $10 million annually.
Afghanistan, in return, charges a 49% tariff on U.S. imports, mostly for pharmaceuticals and some technological and electrical goods. The President of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Younus Momand, stated that the new tariffs would not have a significant impact on Afghanistan’s trade with the U.S., as the trade volume is relatively small.
In neighboring countries, Pakistan faces a 29% tariff on its exports to the U.S., while India is subject to a 26% tariff. China’s exports, on the other hand, are being hit with a 34% tariff, following an already existing 20% tariff, making it a total of 54% on Chinese goods. This could further escalate global trade tensions, as U.S. allies like the UK, the European Union, Japan, and Israel are also affected by the new tariffs.
The European Union has criticized these new measures, with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, calling the tariffs a significant blow to the global economy. The EU is prepared to take retaliatory measures, particularly if talks with Washington fail. Meanwhile, countries like Italy and Germany have warned that this trade war could significantly harm their economies.
Trump has vowed to raise the tariffs further if necessary and warned countries against taking advantage of the U.S. market without fair practices. He emphasized that these tariffs are aimed at reviving U.S. industries and creating a “golden era” for the U.S. economy.