Madagascar faces sharp U.S. tariff Hike under Trump administration

Record ID: 1988349

  • Title: Madagascar faces sharp U.S. tariff Hike under Trump administration
  • Date: 5th April 2025
  • Summary: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (APRIL 4, 2025) (REUTERS) CARS DRIVING ON THE STREET EXTERIOR OF THE MALAGASY CUSTOMS OFFICE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CUSTOMS IN MADAGASCAR, ZAFIVANONA LAINKANA IN HIS OFFICE ON THE PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (French) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CUSTOMS IN MADAGASCAR, ZAFIVANONA LAINKANA, SAYING: "The United States is Madagascar's second-largest trading partner in terms
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: customs economy madagascar tariffs textile trump vanilla
  • Location: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
  • City: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics,International Trade
  • Reuters ID: LVA001443605042025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Madagascar, categorized as one of the world's least developed nations, is grappling with a damaging 47% increase in tariffs enforced by the Trump Administration on Wednesday (April 2), which could potentially jeopardize its fundamental export sectors and precarious economy.
    On Friday, April 4, the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar issued a statement clarifying that Trump's decision was 'not a punitive action', adding that efforts to achieve reciprocal trade between the two countries will continue.
    The United States ranks as the second-largest export destination for Malagasy goods, with key products like textiles, vanilla, and minerals largely benefiting from established trade accords such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
    Ernest Zafivanona Lainkana, the Director General of Malagasy Customs, expressed concerns over the implications of the new tariffs on local industries. "These barriers are exceptionally high and will adversely affect the competitiveness of our products," he commented.
    In response to the tariff imposition, the government of Madagascar has committed to engaging all diplomatic and commercial mechanisms at its disposal to prompt a review.
    However, economic analyst, Serge Zafimahova, remains doubtful of the effectiveness of this approach.
    "He (Trump) sees even small countries as potential threats," he said.
    (Production: Ary-Misa Rakotobe, Mukelwa Hlatshwayo)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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