COMESA, representing 19 member states and a population of about 390 million, is preparing to push back against U.S. tariff measures that have impacted several African countries both within and outside the bloc.
The reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have placed eight COMESA member states under mounting economic pressure, prompting calls for a unified response.
In a policy statement released this week, COMESA outlined a “variable cooperative game strategy” aimed at countering the impact of the tariffs.
The proposed approach includes pursuing alternative trade agreements, enhancing intra-regional trade, and accelerating investments in regional infrastructure to reduce external dependencies.
The eight affected member states which include Democratic Republic of Congo (11%), Libya (31%), Madagascar (47%), Malawi (17%), Mauritius (40%), Tunisia (28%), Zambia (17%), and Zimbabwe (18%) now face mounting challenges as a result of the U.S. tariffs.
U.S. president Donald Trump said these tariffs which took effect on April 2 were part of efforts to address trade imbalances and boost domestic manufacturing in the United States.
COMESA is exploring new trade alliances through formal negotiations and binding agreements with partners such as the European Union, China, Japan, India, the Middle East, and other aligned economies.
The goal is to unlock new markets and offset the impact of recently imposed U.S. tariffs that have strained several member states.
This proactive stance places COMESA ahead of other African blocs, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), which are expected to hold meetings later this month to chart their own responses to the U.S. trade actions.
Although the United States is not among COMESA’s top trading partners, the bloc warns that the new tariffs could still trigger widespread disruptions.
The U.S. tariffs have drawn criticism from COMESA and SADC, which argue that they undermine the benefits African countries enjoyed under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
For nearly 25 years, AGOA has granted eligible African nations duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products, playing a critical role in shaping U.S.-Africa trade and recognizing the continent's developmental needs.
With AGOA set to expire on September 30, 2025, the possibility of its renewal is uncertain, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-Africa trade relations.
