In a post on the X platform on Monday, the US agency responsible for developing and promoting US foreign trade policies highlighted "10 unfair trade practices" from several countries that are being faced by US exporters, including Angola.
"Angola recently announced that it will restrict import licenses for beef, pork and poultry products starting July 31, 2025. In 2024, US poultry exports to Angola were valued at $136 million," the USTR said.
"Angola is the 9th largest market for US poultry exports in the world and the largest market for US 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 these products, starting from certain dates.
This is a measure by the Government to strengthen domestic production and reduce its dependence on the external market.
On Wednesday, on a day he called "Liberation Day", US President Donald Trump imposed a 10 percent tariff on imports from 184 countries and territories, including the European Union (EU).
The new rules presented by Donald Trump will increase tariffs on Angolan products to 32 percent, compared to the average of 11 percent customs duty, "but since Angola has not increased its customs tariff, the new tariffs will 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 face tariffs of 16 percent in Mozambique and 13 percent in Equatorial Guinea, with the rest (Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde and East Timor) facing tariffs of 10 percent, while Portugal will be included in those imposed on the EU.
Trump announced tariffs of 20 percent on products imported from the EU, in addition to the 25 percent tariffs on the automotive, steel and aluminium sectors.
In its statement released on Monday, the USTR also cited, among other things, Brazil’s “unfair trade practices” 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 lowering prices and allowing bad actors to undercut legitimate U.S. exporters,” it added.
