Africa-Press – Angola. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has classified as “unfair trade practices” the restrictions announced by Angola on imports of beef, pork and poultry, justifying the imposition of tariffs on the African country.
In a publication made on Monday on the X platform, the North American agency responsible for developing and promoting the foreign trade policies of the United States (USA) highlighted “10 unfair commercial practices” of several countries and which are being faced by North American exporters, including the case of Angola.
“Angola recently announced that it will restrict import licenses for beef, pork and poultry products starting July 31, 2025. In 2024, U.S. poultry exports to Angola were valued at $136 million (€124.17 million),” the USTR said.
“Angola is the 9th largest market for U.S. poultry exports in the world and the largest market for U.S. poultry on the African continent. These new trade restrictions will have a significant impact on American farmers and ranchers,” the federal agency assessed.
The Angolan Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, through the Veterinary Services Institute, announced last February that imports of some food products of animal origin, namely poultry, pigs and cattle, will be prohibited.
In the document addressed to “importers of products and by-products of animal origin”, it was announced that “licenses will not be issued for the import of offal, parts of poultry, pigs and cattle”, while conditions exist for the local production of said products, from certain dates.
This is a measure by the Angolan Government to strengthen domestic production and reduce its dependence on the external market.
On Wednesday, in a day he dubbed “Liberation Day,” US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on imports from 184 countries and territories, including the European Union (EU).
The new rules presented by Donald Trump cause tariffs on Angolan products to increase to 32%, compared to the average customs rate of 11%, “but as Angola has not increased its customs tariff, the new tariffs have no impact on Angolan products sold to the US”, Angolan economist Flávio Inocêncio told Lusa.
In addition to Angola, the other members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) covered by the measure announced by the US President will register tariffs of 16% in Mozambique and 13% in Equatorial Guinea, with the rest (Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde and East Timor) facing tariffs of 10%, while Portugal is included in those that fall on the EU.
Trump announced 20% tariffs on products imported from the EU, in addition to the 25% tariffs on the automotive, steel and aluminum sectors.
In the publication made on Monday, the USTR also referred to, among other things, “unfair trade practices” by Brazil to justify the application of these tariffs.
“Illegal logging and mining in South America, especially in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, fuel environmental degradation and create unfair competition that harms U.S. companies committed to responsible sourcing and compliance with environmental laws,” the agency argued.
“These illicit activities, which often involve transnational criminal organizations, distort global commodity markets by driving down prices and allowing bad actors to undercut legitimate American exporters,” he added.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
