The new tariffs imposed by the United States of America, announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, have reignited debates about the future of global trade.

For Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP), the direct effects of these measures will be limited, according to Angolan economist Nataniel Fernandes. However, the expert emphasized that the PALOP countries must prepare for the indirect consequences of a new global economic order, marked by the devaluation of the dollar and inflationary pressures.

Less Exposed PALOP

According to Nataniel Fernandes, the taxes imposed by Donald Trump will not affect the PALOP countries as they do not depend significantly on the North American market.

“The United States is not a priority trading partner for these countries.”

“Exports to the US represent a minimal percentage of their trade balances”He explained.

Angola, for example, maintains stronger economic ties with China and Europe, the latter being the main destinations for its oil exports. Even so, the economist warned:

“Excessive dependence on a single partner, such as China in the Angolan case, is a risk.”

“If there is a crisis in these traditional markets, African economies will suffer.”

Trump's strategy, which aims to revitalize US industry through dollar devaluation, could indirectly affect the PALOP countries. Nataniel Fernandes emphasized that this measure will not solve the US's structural problems, but will generate global inflation.

For African countries, this will mean higher import costs for essential goods such as medicines and industrial equipment, increasing pressure on already fragile economies. Furthermore, the weakening of the dollar as a benchmark currency—a legacy of the Bretton Woods agreements—points to a shift in the international financial landscape.

“The world is moving towards a multipolar system, where the Chinese yuan or even digital currencies will gain ground.”

“The PALOP countries need to adapt to this reality”, he defended.

The Importance of Diversification

For Nataniel Fernandes, Trump's tariffs serve as a warning about excessive dependence on a few trading partners and the need for diversification.

“Putting all your eggs in one basket is dangerous.”

“Angola, for example, should explore partnerships with Middle Eastern countries and strengthen intra-African trade”, he suggested.

The expert cited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a strategic tool.

“Regional integration can reduce dependence on external powers and create more resilient domestic markets”, he said.

However, he criticized the slowness in implementing concrete projects:

“While political speeches advance, logistical infrastructure and tax agreements remain delayed.”

But the most important thing, according to Nataniel Fernandes, is to understand that this tariff policy will clearly harm trade stability throughout the world. The American claim that this way they will have a stronger industry and produce everything within America to start exporting, as China does, is a huge mistake.

If it were easy to produce everything cheaply in America, industries wouldn't have left to produce outside the US. This won't change just because taxes are changed and a decree is issued saying that to avoid them, everything must be produced again within the United States.

Conclusion

US protectionist measures, including the implementation of global tariffs, albeit with limited short-term effects on the PALOP countries, reinforce the urgency of structural reforms. For Nataniel Fernandes, the lesson is clear: global instability requires countries to diversify partners, financing sources, and economic sectors.

As the world adjusts to a less dollar-centric system, the PALOP countries face the challenge of balancing relations with traditional and emerging powers. Investing in local industrialization, quality infrastructure, and regional cooperation emerges not as an option, but as the only way to transform threats into opportunities.