US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods imported from Afghanistan, the same rate applied to the UK, despite Afghanistan levying a 49% tariff on US imports compared to Britain's 10%. The move comes as part of sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced by the White House on April 2, 2025, affecting almost all nations.
The tariffs were calculated using a simple formula based on trade deficits, with a baseline rate of 10%. Heidi Crebo-Rediker, a former Obama administration economist, described the policy as 'a spectacular own goal' that would harm US consumers, farmers, and businesses.
The decision to apply the same tariff to Afghanistan as the UK has drawn attention due to Trump's deepening ties with the Taliban, which remains a sanctioned terrorist group. In March 2025, the Taliban released American hostage George Glezmann as a 'goodwill gesture', and the US subsequently removed bounties on three members of the Haqqani terror network.
Taliban officials have reportedly sought US recognition and permission to open an office in the US, while Trump has previously praised the group, calling them 'good fighters' and 'really smart' in a 2021 Fox interview. He also claimed to have 'got along with him great' when speaking to the Taliban leader.
Critics have condemned the administration's approach, noting that the Taliban delayed the release of another American hostage to allow Trump to claim credit. The UK and US continue to designate the Haqqani network as a terrorist organisation.
