UNITED States President Donald Trump has protested Kenya’s move to impose a 50 per cent tariff on corn imports, spotlighting it among the top 10 unfair trade practices.
In a lengthy post on X, the US Department of Trade said the high tariff and other burdensome regulatory requirements effectively blocked US corn exports to Kenya despite the market’s budding potential.
“Kenya imposes a 50 percent tariff on imports of US corn, and imposes burdensome regulatory requirements, effectively blocking exports of corn,” the Department stated.
According to the US, Kenya’s market for feed corn is currently estimated at $50 million (Sh6.4 billion), with a potential to grow by 30 per cent by 2027.
To that effect, Trump warned of impending consequences for Kenya over its trade barriers.
In line with his “America First” policy, Trump signaled an impending retaliation in a bid to protect the American market from what he has termed as “exploitation of America.”
“Securing market access for American farmers will ensure they can compete on a level playing field,” he expressed.
The tariff imposed by Kenya applies to countries outside the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), including the United States.
The move is aimed at shielding Kenyan farmers from international competition, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce and promoting self-sufficiency in maize production.
The tariffs are part of existing EAC law on trade (Customs Union’s Common External Tariff (CET), and little can be done to change it.
However, when deemed necessary, the Kenyan government has temporarily waived agricultural tariffs to stabilise prices when domestic agricultural prices exceed certain levels.
The US’s protest letter is coming just days after Trump announced sweeping tariffs on goods imported from the rest of the world.
He indicated that a 10 per cent tariff on all nations and much higher rates of up to 50 per cent on individual countries would boost the US economy and protect jobs.
He slapped 10 per cent tariff on all goods coming from Kenya.
His warning of a more punishable tax regime is likely to further hurt $784 million (Sh109.7 billion) trade between the two nations, with at least 6,400 products from Kenya that have been enjoying free entry under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the past 25 years.
The deal comes to an end in September this year.
by VICTOR AMADALA
