US Tariffs Threaten African Economies and American Consumers - July 2025

Economist Leslie Dwight Mensah of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that African economies are under threat from the new U.S. tariff war, with the impact varying based on the scale of trade relationships and potentially eliminating some export trade. Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump's new tariffs, or extra taxes on imported goods, are threatening to increase prices for American consumers. While some major trading partners have seen tariff rates reduced, other countries like Canada face significant increases, potentially impacting the cost of various products. This comes as U.S. budget airlines, including Spirit and Southwest, are already struggling for survival and taking drastic measures like pilot layoffs and flight reductions amidst rising costs and shrinking markets.