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24 March 2026 – US President Donald Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic policy, positioning them as a tool to reduce trade deficits and realign global commerce in favour of American industries. His administration has imposed duties on imports from nearly all major trading partners, with especially steep penalties on countries accused of unfair trade practices.
During his second term, Trump broadened this approach by invoking a range of legal authorities most notably the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These actions triggered new tariffs on goods from China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and dozens of other countries, including several developing nations across Africa. Under the temporary global tariff regime introduced in 2025–26, many African countries were subjected to a baseline 10 percent import duty on products not covered by exemptions. Goods outside preferential trade arrangements faced this flat rate.
Trump’s tariff framework suffered a major setback on February 20, 2026, when the US Supreme Court ruled that the president had exceeded his authority under IEEPA. The ruling immediately nullified the 10 percent reciprocal tariff applied to most African goods. The decision appears to take effect retroactively, meaning importers may be eligible for refunds of duties already collected
In the wake of the Court’s decision, Trump issued a new proclamation imposing a global 10 percent tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The measure, effective for 150 days beginning February 24, 2026, reestablishes broad import duties under a different statutory authority. Source: Business Daily