Context and Background - US President Donald Trump has announced a flat tariff of “above 10%” on imports from more than 100 small countries, including many African and Caribbean states. The aim is to achieve “recursivity”: to level the playing field with countries that have trade barriers to US imports. This news follows the large-scale “Liberation Day” initiative of April 2, 2025, which imposed a base tariff of 10% on most imports, with some countries receiving even higher rates. 2. Key Terms - Rate Amount: Flat tariff cap of “slightly above 10%”. Effective Date: August 1, 2025. Number of Countries: More than 100 included, mostly small in terms of trade volume with the US. Geographic Coverage: Mostly small African and Caribbean countries. 3. The mechanism for implementation - Letters were sent to those countries in several cycles throughout July - more than two dozen senior officials, including representatives of the EU, South Africa, Asia - notifying them of the new tariff. The first round of tariff notifications was issued in April (Liberation Day: base 10%, but with the possibility of higher rates for some). A 90-day negotiating period came into force in July, which ended on July 9 - after which the notifications were updated and the transition to the new rates was approved. 4. Reasons and strategic goals - The main goal is to reduce the US trade deficit and encourage companies to move production domestically. The new move is part of Trump's broader strategy of "reciprocal tariffs" using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was already invoked in April. The administration also expects such tariffs to create leverage for negotiations on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors - these sectors may be subject to tariffs in the coming months, with an adjustment period of up to a year. 5. Potential economic damage to Africa - South Africa is expecting a major blow: a 30% tariff on a range of exports, including cars, citrus fruits, wine, etc., threatens the loss of up to 100,000 jobs. The consequences could particularly affect the agricultural sector, which employs many low-skilled workers who are already suffering from high unemployment (officially 32.9%, in fact up to 43%). Losses will mainly fall on citrus fruits, table grapes, macadamia nuts, juices, leather - exports that especially affect small producers and agricultural regions. 6. Geopolitical and diplomatic context - The new tariff policy coincided with Trump's reception of five African leaders (Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal) on July 9; however, despite the diplomatic meetings, the tariffs remain in place and are expanding. The US is trying to balance containing Chinese influence with investment and tariffs, but many African leaders worry that cutting aid and raising tariffs could worsen the humanitarian situation. 7. Potential Risks and Responses - Economists worry that: rising import costs will put a strain on consumers; trade wars will resume, especially with the BRICS; smaller African countries will be hit harder than big donors; and a legal dispute will arise at the WTO over massive tariffs that are seen as deal-breakers. There have been threats of retaliation, but so far Africa has only signalled talks. 8. Summary - Accession Date: 1 August 2025; Tariff Level: ≈10% (flat); Number of Countries: Over 100; Key Sectors: Agriculture, Automotive, Semiconductors, Pharmaceuticals; Impact: Job losses, rising prices, tensions in negotiations and possible retaliation. Sources: AP News, Reuters, Times of India, Washington Post, Wikipedia.