African trade ministers will convene on April 14 to deliberate on a new U.S. tariff policy introduced by President Donald Trump that threatens to reshape global trade dynamics.

The policy imposes a blanket 10 percent tariff on imports from over 100 nations a move that could place significant pressure on African exporters.

The upcoming summit will assemble a coalition of trade experts, government officials, economists, and regional blocs to examine the policy’s implications and strategize Africa’s collective response.

Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), addressing journalists from Washington, D.C., cautioned that Africa must not remain passive in the face of such sweeping trade realignments.

“This isn’t just a U.S. policy shift; it’s a signal that Africa must tighten its economic foundation,” Mene said. “We can’t afford to be caught off guard. We must respond with urgency and unity.”

The tariff, expected to affect a broad range of African exports — from agricultural products and raw materials to textiles and manufactured goods — raises concerns about the future of Africa’s trade relationships with the U.S., especially under existing frameworks like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Mene noted that the real challenge lies not in reacting to protectionist policies, but in preparing for them.

“We should treat this as a turning point,” he said. “Rather than depend on uncertain access to distant markets, we must create reliable trade systems among ourselves. This is a pivotal moment for AfCFTA to move beyond ambition and into full implementation.”

While the U.S. policy is likely to affect several global partners, African nations—many of which rely on export-led growth—could face the harshest consequences if timely measures are not adopted.

In anticipation of those impacts, the April 14 meeting will explore policy alternatives, trade diversification, and accelerated continental integration to ensure African economies remain resilient amid rising global protectionism.

“Africa must now define its own trade future,” Mene emphasized. “And we must do so together.”