As of Saturday, April 19, 2025, here is an update on the tariff situation involving Côte d'Ivoire: Recent Tariffs Imposed by the United States: On April 2, 2025, the United States announced new tariffs on products from various countries, including approximately 50 African nations.   Côte d'Ivoire faces a 21% tariff on its products exported to the United States. This tariff went into effect on April 5, 2025.   This action has led Côte d'Ivoire to announce it will explore new markets for its exports.   The world's largest cocoa producer, Côte d'Ivoire, has warned that these tariffs could lead to measures making their cocoa more expensive, potentially harming the end consumer in the U.S.   However, on April 9, 2025, the U.S. announced a 90-day pause on these new tariffs for most countries. It is unclear if Côte d'Ivoire is included in this pause, as specific country details for the pause have not been widely publicized. Some reports suggest the pause applies to most countries excluding China.   Côte d'Ivoire's General Tariff Structure: Côte d'Ivoire is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which also includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The customs regime is similar for all WAEMU member states and follows a Common External Tariff (CET) schedule for goods from third countries.   The CET has the following main categories for permanent customs duties and taxes: Category 0 (0%): A limited list of essential social goods (e.g., books and drugs). Category 1 (5%): Convenience goods, raw materials. Category 2 (10%): Inputs and semi-finished products. Category 3 (20%): Final consumption goods and other products. Category 4 (35%): Final processed consumption goods (e.g., chocolate bars). In addition to these customs duties, Côte d'Ivoire also imposes other taxes and levies on imports, including: Statistical fee: 1% of the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, and Freight).   Community Levy of Solidarity (PCS): 1% of the CIF value on imports from outside WAEMU. ECOWAS community levy: 0.5% of the CIF value.   Value Added Tax (VAT): 18% on the CIF value plus entry duty and statistical fee. Special taxes: On products like fish (5-20%), rice (5-10%), alcohol (45%), tobacco and cigarettes (30-36%), and oil products (20-44%). Temporary Import Tax: A seasonal tax (2.5-5%) on certain agricultural products and some finished goods to protect local production. Trade Agreements: Côte d'Ivoire is involved in several trade agreements:   WAEMU: As mentioned, it adheres to the WAEMU's Common External Tariff.   ECOWAS: Member of the Economic Community of West African States, aiming for free movement of goods within the region.   African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Côte d'Ivoire is a party to this agreement.   U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Côte d'Ivoire is a beneficiary, allowing tariff-free export of eligible goods to the United States (AGOA is set to expire in 2025).   Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU): An interim EPA has been in force since 2016, providing duty-free access to the EU market for most Ivorian goods, with Côte d'Ivoire gradually liberalizing imports from the EU.   Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the United Kingdom (UK): Replicates the EU EPA's tariff treatment. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the U.S.: Signed in 2002 with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), including Côte d'Ivoire.   In summary, while Côte d'Ivoire is currently facing a newly imposed 21% tariff on its exports to the United States, the broader application of the 90-day pause announced by the U.S. is still being clarified. Côte d'Ivoire's general tariff structure is based on the WAEMU's CET, with rates ranging from 0% to 35% depending on the product category, along with various other taxes and levies. The country also participates in multiple regional and international trade agreements.   It is advisable to consult official sources from the U.S. and Ivorian governments, as well as the WTO, for the most up-to-date and specific tariff information.