US Implements Policy Changes Affecting Kenyan Trade and Citizens - August 2025

Kenyan businesses face a significant blow after US President Donald Trump scrapped the 'de minimis' tariff exemption for small packages valued under $800 (Ksh103,600). This decision means these packages will now be subject to tariffs and taxes, impacting small business owners who ship to the US. In a separate development, Kenya's preferential trade access via the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is set to expire on September 30, 2025, a situation that could devastate the country's apparel manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the Trump administration has announced stricter measures against foreigners, including Kenyans, traveling to the United States primarily to give birth, a move that will lead to visa denials for individuals identified with such intentions.