Botswana is among at least 50 countries which have been slapped with what President Donald Trump refers to as "reciprocal" tariffs. The US will impose a 37% import on Botswana goods, in response to Botswana's 74% tariff on American goods, effective from midnight.
The US will also impose a universal 10% tariff on all countries, according to the Financial Times.
“For decades our country has been looted, pillaged and raped,” Trump said. “It’s not going to happen any more.”
“We will calculate the combined rate of all their tariffs . . . and because we are being very kind . . . we will charge them roughly half of what they are charging us.”
According to data from Statistics Botswana, although the US is the destination for only 1% of Botswana goods (excluding diamonds), when diamonds are factored in, it is a different landscape.
The US is the 4th largest market for the shiny stones, with an export value of $456 million. Additionally, the US was the second fastest growing export market for Botswana diamonds between 2022 and 2023.
President Trump's announcement puts a spanner in Botswana's economic plans which are hinged on an projected recovery of the diamond market in 2025.
In March, Minister of Minerals & Energy Bogolo Kenewendo was reportedly coddling American Gen Z influencers as Botswana looks to promote natural diamonds to the US market amid decreasing demand.