Trump tariff hike: ITUC-Africa charges African leaders to fast-track AfCFTA implementation

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on African leaders and the African Union (AU) to urgently accelerate the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in response to the economic and labour fallout from new tariff hikes imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a strongly worded statement on Monday, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, condemned Trump’s decision to impose flat-rate tariffs of up to 25 percent on key African exports, warning that the move would devastate African economies, particularly the livelihoods of millions of workers in sectors such as agriculture, apparel, textiles, mining, and energy.

On April 2, President Trump announced flat rate tariffs of up to 25 percent on key African exports from countries such as Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.

“These imposed tariffs are avoidable provocations,” Odigie said, adding that

“The tariffs are not intended to advance trade and the global economy but rather serve as a show of force and bravado that would harm both the global economy and trade.”

The regional workers’ organisation noted that the tariffs, ranging from 10 to 50 percent, disproportionately impact African nations with limited alternatives for export markets.

In Lesotho, for instance, the tariff is as high as 50 percent tariff. Other affected countries include South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Nigeria.

With African economies already under strain from wage freezes, inflation, and reduced development assistance, ITUC-Africa warned that the new tariffs would escalate production costs, lower revenues, and deepen poverty across the continent.

Odigie said: “production costs will escalate, revenues will fall, and job losses will become increasingly evident. Moreover, Official Development Assistance (ODA) cuts from the USA and other economies in the Global North have left Africa’s most vulnerable economies exposed, and the working class is currently enduring the most tremendous hardship ever.”

Against this backdrop, ITUC-Africa urged African governments to seize the moment by fast-tracking the implementation of AfCFTA.

“While the US tariff hikes are damaging to global trade, we wish to seize this moment to reiterate our call to African governments and the African Union on the need to advance a genuine and timely integration of the African economy,” General Secretary Odigie said.

The organisation hailed the existing Guided Trade Initiative but stressed the need for “genuine and timely economic integration.”

The statement reads further, “it is now imperative to advance beyond this initial stage and achieve full trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Full implementation of the AfCFTA will remove persistent bottlenecks, harmonise tariff structures, improve necessary trade facilitation systems and infrastructure, including skills development and respect for workers’ rights and enhance intra-African trade, thereby fostering a resilient and dynamic economy.

“African governments and the African Union must act with urgency and resolve. Unity, integration, and decisive action are essential, and we call upon governments, unions, and progressive civil society organisations to collaborate in finding ways to harness this new development in a positive manner. By embracing the full potential of the AfCFTA, we can stimulate transformative growth in Africa and safeguard our workers.

“Workers must not bear the cost of a trade war that privileges the few over the many. It is incumbent upon us to seize this moment to build a robust and equitable economic framework for our continent.”

READ ALSO: ITUC-Africa flays death of 274 Kenyan workers in Saudi Arabia