The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Taliban responded to the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from Afghanistan to the United States.
In a statement issued on Monday (April 7), the Ministry called on the United States and other countries to adopt a “constructive and supportive” approach in their trade dealings with Afghanistan.
The statement emphasized that the increase in U.S. tariffs, particularly on the most vulnerable sectors of Afghan society, including handicraft producers, startups, small businesses, and women entrepreneurs, will have a negative impact.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade also warned that such actions could act as a barrier to the economic growth of Afghanistan, a country in need and in development.
It further noted that Afghanistan depends on cooperation with the United States for the importation of tools, equipment, and modern technologies in various sectors.
The Ministry claimed that Afghanistan has set the import tariffs for goods related to these sectors at “zero,” and preferential tariffs have been considered for exporting countries as well.
Last week, Donald Trump announced his new trade policy, imposing a base 10% tariff on imports from 180 countries, including Afghanistan, to the United States.
Additionally, he imposed a 49% tariff on U.S. exports to Afghanistan.
This decision comes at a time when the trade relations between the two countries mainly revolve around Afghanistan’s exports, such as carpets, saffron, and dried fruits to the U.S., and the import of electronic equipment, medicine, and some other goods from the U.S. to Afghanistan.