Kenya Hails Trump’s Tariff Exemption, Pledges Deeper Trade Ties With the US

Kenya has lauded the United States for exempting it from new sweeping tariff hikes announced by President Donald Trump, with Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties.

In a press release issued on Friday, August 1, 2025, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry confirmed that Kenyan exports to the U.S. will continue to enjoy a favourable 10 per cent tariff—the lowest rate among nations with similar export profiles.

“Kenyan exports to the U.S. continue to enjoy the 10 per cent tariff, the lowest rate among nations with comparable export interests,” Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui stated.

The statement followed Trump’s signing of an executive order on Thursday, July 31, 2025, introducing reciprocal import tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 41 per cent on goods from 70 countries.

The tariffs are set to take effect in seven days and will impact key trading nations including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, India, Israel, and several African countries.

However, Kenya was spared, alongside a few others, maintaining its current preferential tariff treatment under U.S. trade frameworks.

Kinyanjui welcomed the exemption and noted the importance of continued engagement between Nairobi and Washington.

“Kenya remains committed to deepening its longstanding trade and investment relationship with the U.S.,” he said. “The United States continues to be a key strategic partner for Kenya across various sectors, including commodity exports, digital trade, tourism, and regional security cooperation.”

He added that Kenya would work closely with U.S. authorities to preserve and enhance the existing trade framework.

“We will continue to engage constructively with U.S. authorities to safeguard and grow the historical trade ties that have benefited both our countries.”

Kenya spared tariff hikes

According to the executive order, countries not explicitly listed, such as Kenya, will be subject to the baseline 10 per cent import duty, consistent with the terms of Executive Order 14257.

“Goods of any foreign trading partner that is not listed in this order will be subject to a rate of duty of 10 per cent according to the terms of Executive Order 14257, as amended, unless otherwise expressly provided,” the order reads.

Other African nations were not as fortunate. South Africa and Algeria were hit with 30 per cent tariffs, while Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Botswana, Angola, and others saw 15 per cent duties imposed. Uganda was the only East African country affected in the new round, also facing a 15 per cent tariff on exports to the U.S.

The Ministry expressed optimism that Kenya’s trade relations with the U.S. would continue to flourish amid shifting global dynamics, underlining the country’s strategic value in the region and its consistent trade cooperation with Washington.