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Kenya

US Revised Tariffs (%)

10

Ease of doing business

theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:

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Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.

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Share of US Imports % (1 implies <1%)
US Tariff %
Revised Tariff %
Country Tariff Rate %
1
10
10
11.7
Exports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Imports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Balance (in USD Bill.) 2024
0.78
0.74
0.05

US Revised Tariffs

Country Tariffs

Balance of Trade

Commercial Guide

Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals

Tariff Rate for US

World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.

US Imports Guide 

United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.

Implications

As of Sunday, April 20, 2025, the tariff situation involving the United States and Kenya is as follows: United States Tariffs on Goods from Kenya: Baseline Tariff: As part of a broader "reciprocal tariff" policy, the United States imposed a 10% baseline tariff on imports from Kenya, effective April 5, 2025. This applies to nearly all goods. AGOA Preference: This new tariff potentially overrides the duty-free access that many Kenyan goods, particularly textiles and agricultural products, have enjoyed under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in September 2025. Potential for Higher Tariffs: The 10% is considered a "commencement tariff," with the possibility of higher tariffs based on the U.S.'s assessment of trade imbalances and other factors. Some reports initially suggested a cumulative tariff of 20% for Kenya, but the current broadly applied rate appears to be the 10% baseline. 90-Day Pause: While President Trump announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs for most countries starting April 10, 2025, it's unclear if this pause fully applies to the initial 10% baseline tariff for Kenya. Some reports suggest the pause brings the rate back to the pre-April 5th levels for most countries, while others indicate the 10% remains. Kenya is actively appealing the 10% tariff. Kenya's Tariffs on Goods from the United States: Kenya generally applies a 10% tariff on goods originating from the United States. There are higher tariffs (up to 25% for finished goods CIF, and even higher for sensitive items like rice, dairy, and textiles) based on East African Community (EAC) rules, which Kenya follows. A 16% VAT is also compounded on the CIF value plus the tariff. Key Points and Ongoing Developments: Impact on Kenyan Exports: The 10% U.S. tariff poses a significant challenge to Kenyan exporters, potentially making their goods (textiles, tea, coffee, fruits, flowers) less competitive in the U.S. market, which is Kenya's second-largest export destination.   AGOA Uncertainty: The looming expiration of AGOA adds further uncertainty to the trade relationship. Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP): Negotiations for a U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) are ongoing. This was intended to replace a formal Free Trade Agreement and focuses on non-tariff barriers, but the recent tariffs have complicated the situation.   Kenya's Response: The Kenyan government is actively engaging with the U.S. to appeal the 10% tariff, arguing that it could negatively impact their economy and that Kenya's existing tariffs on U.S. goods are reciprocal. They are also exploring alternative export markets and seeking an extension or favorable terms under a new trade arrangement with the U.S. Potential Opportunities: Some in Kenya believe the lower 10% tariff compared to rates imposed on major competitors like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (which face much higher reciprocal tariffs from the U.S.) could present a competitive advantage in the textile sector. In summary, as of April 20, 2025, Kenyan exports to the United States are subject to a 10% baseline tariff, creating concerns about the future of their trade relationship, particularly with the expiration of AGOA approaching. Kenya is actively appealing this tariff while simultaneously pursuing a new trade agreement with the U.S.

US Negotiation Strategy

As of 2024, the top imports to the US from Kenya by value are: Articles of apparel, knit or crocheted ($277.48 Million) Articles of apparel, not knit or crocheted ($271.46 Million) Coffee, tea, mate and spices ($59.17 Million) Here's a breakdown of which states in the US can manufacture similar goods, along with examples of companies: Articles of apparel, knit or crocheted & Articles of apparel, not knit or crocheted: The US has a significant textile and apparel manufacturing sector, although it has faced global competition. Key states include:   California: While much of the apparel industry has moved offshore, Los Angeles still has a considerable garment manufacturing district, focusing on fashion-forward and higher-end clothing. Examples include American Apparel (though primarily online now, some production remains in the US), Reformation, and numerous smaller design and manufacturing houses.   North Carolina: Historically a textile powerhouse, North Carolina continues to have textile mills and apparel production, particularly in areas like hosiery, technical textiles, and some cut-and-sew operations. Examples include Hanesbrands (hosiery and basic apparel), Gildan Activewear (some US production), and many specialized textile manufacturers.   South Carolina: Similar to North Carolina, with a history in textiles and ongoing manufacturing in specialized areas. Milliken & Company is a large textile manufacturer with operations in South Carolina, producing various fabrics and materials.   Georgia: Has a significant carpet and flooring industry but also some apparel production. Companies like Shaw Industries (owned by Berkshire Hathaway) produce carpets and other floor coverings.   Other states: States like New York (especially in the garment district of NYC), Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts also have niche apparel manufacturing, often focusing on higher-end or specialized items.   Coffee, tea, mate and spices: The US does not commercially grow coffee or tea on a large scale due to climate limitations. However, there are companies involved in processing, roasting, blending, and packaging these products. Regarding spices, some states have limited cultivation of certain spices, but the majority are imported and then processed/packaged. California: Has a large food processing industry, including companies that handle spices, roast coffee beans, and blend teas. Examples include McCormick & Company (though headquartered in Maryland, has operations in CA), Peet's Coffee, and numerous smaller roasters and packers.   Washington: Seattle is a major hub for coffee roasting and tea blending. Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee, and many artisan roasters are based or have significant operations in Washington.   Oregon: Portland has a thriving coffee scene with many local roasters and tea companies. Examples include Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Smith Teamaker.   Other states: States with large food processing sectors like Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida also have companies involved in the processing and packaging of coffee, tea, and spices.   It's important to note that while the US can manufacture similar types of goods, the scale of production and the specific types of products may differ significantly from imports from Kenya. For example, while the US has apparel manufacturing, it doesn't necessarily produce the exact same types and quantities of clothing imported from Kenya, which might be geared towards different price points or styles. Similarly, the US doesn't grow coffee or tea commercially on a large scale, focusing instead on the value-added processes.

Investing in USA

theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters

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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

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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.

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