In a first since threats began, Trump has directly hit African countries with tariffs. On wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports into the U.S. from all countries and higher rates on countries with trade surpluses with the U.S.
The tariffs are expected to boost U.S. manufacturing and punish other countries for what he says are years of unfair trade practices.
Some of the highest rates will be levied on smaller countries, with goods from the southern African nation of Lesotho facing 50 percent.