Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has downplayed concerns over a new 10 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on Kenyan exports, emphasizing that the tariff is among the lowest globally.

Responding to a tweep on Thursday, April 3, 2025, Korir said that the 10 per cent tariff aligns Kenya’s export conditions with those of several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

“Tariffs imposed on Kenya are still one of the lowest and at the same level as the UK, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Long term, the solution lies in greater intra-African trade,” Sing’oei stated.

The reciprocal tariffs are widely seen as a response to Kenya’s 16 per cent VAT on U.S. goods. The X account user noted that the tariffs would remain unless Kenya negotiates with Trump to remove the VAT.

“The US government has imposed a 10% tax on Kenyan exports in response to Kenya’s 16% VAT on US goods. The tax will remain unless Kenya negotiates with Trump to remove the VAT,” the post read.

The tariffs were announced by US President Donald Trump, who cited ongoing trade imbalances and currency manipulation concerns as reasons for the decision.

According to Trump, the 10 per cent baseline tariff will apply to all U.S. imports from 185 countries, including Kenya. Higher duties are expected for some of America’s top trading partners.

“Today we are standing up for the American worker and we are finally putting America first,” Trump said, describing the decision as “one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history.”

https://t.co/CdTzF2sfMZ

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2025

Trump argued that the VAT system employed by many countries, including Kenya, creates an unfair disadvantage for American products. When U.S. goods are exported to these countries, they become more expensive due to VAT, making them less competitive. In contrast, exports from those countries to the U.S. often face fewer restrictions or taxes.

Kenya currently charges a standard 16 per cent VAT on imported goods, including those from the U.S., which raises the cost of these products for local consumers. The U.S. government stated that Kenya’s tariff on American goods includes concerns over currency manipulation and trade barriers.

Kenya imports goods valued at approximately Ksh113.03 billion (807.35 million USD) from the U.S., including mineral fuels, machinery, aircraft parts, cereals, and more. The new tariffs are expected to deepen the trade imbalance between the two nations.

Trump’s announcement follows his directive less than two months ago, instructing his administration to impose tariffs on countries that levy VAT on US products.