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Implications
As of early 2026, trade relations between the US and Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) are primarily defined by the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the shift toward a more aggressive US reciprocal tariff regime.
While Cape Verde is a small trading partner for the US, the transition from duty-free status to higher ad valorem rates has created significant headwinds for its niche export sectors.
US Tariffs Update for Cape Verde (2026)
Category | Status & Impact Details |
Trade Deals | AGOA Expiration: The duty-free access under AGOA expired in late 2025. As of January 2026, no new bilateral trade agreement is in place. Cape Verde currently falls under the US Reciprocal Tariff Framework, which applies a baseline tariff (estimated at 20%) on non-exempt goods. |
Trade Impact | Shift to MFN Rates: Cape Verdean exports that previously entered the US duty-free (e.g., apparel and processed fish) now face Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rates plus additional surcharges. Total goods trade remains low (~$16M annually), but the cost of entry for Cape Verdean goods has increased significantly. |
GDP Impact | Marginal but Negative: Cape Verde’s economy is 75% services-based (tourism). While the direct GDP hit from US tariffs is small (estimated <0.1% of GDP), the "indirect" impact on the manufacturing/export diversification strategy is notable, as US-bound exports are no longer competitive. |
Companies Impact | Export Cost Burden: Local firms in the fish processing and beverage sectors are most affected. These companies must either absorb the 20% tariff (reducing margins) or seek alternative markets in the EU (under the GSP+ scheme) or the UK. |
Sector-Specific Impact Breakdown
Fisheries (Processed Fish & Mollusks): This is Cape Verde's primary export to the US. Under the 2026 regime, these items are subject to a 20% tariff, making them significantly more expensive than competitors from countries with active trade deals.
Apparel: Although a small portion of the economy, the loss of "Third Country Fabric" provisions from AGOA has effectively halted any growth in Cape Verde’s textile exports to the US.
Beverages (Hard Liquor/Grogue): High-end artisanal exports now face increased duties, which may lead Cape Verdean distilleries to focus more on the European and domestic tourist markets.
US Imports (to Cape Verde): US exports to Cape Verde (primarily aircraft parts, vehicles, and machinery) have seen a decline of nearly 50% year-over-year as the Cape Verdean government looks for cheaper European or Chinese alternatives to avoid retaliatory trade tensions.
Looking Ahead
The Cape Verdean government is currently lobbying for a separate Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) or a customized trade framework through ECOWAS. However, for 2026, the focus remains on the Strategic Sustainable Development Plan, which emphasizes tourism and renewable energy to offset trade-related volatility.
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Investing in USA
theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters
Sources : Forbes | USDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia | International Trade Administration
theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.
Economic
Relevance
Ranking
State | Info | Overall Rank | Agri | Innov | Mfg | Employ | Tax | Edu | GDP | F500 Rep | Trade Balance | Cost of Living | Disp Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 | |
North Carolina | 2 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 17 | 17 | |
Virginia | 3 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 3 | |
Florida | 4 | 21 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 7 | 40 | 30 | 37 | |
Washington | 5 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 28 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 43 | 1 | |
Missouri | 6 | 11 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 20 | |
Georgia | 7 | 15 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 26 | 19 | |
Minnesota | 8 | 6 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 9 | |
Ohio | 9 | 12 | 32 | 7 | 30 | 35 | 36 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 15 | 11 | |
Illinois | 10 | 5 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 37 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 32 | 7 |