The United States has imposed a 10% tariff on Afghan exports—an action that, according to officials and chambers of commerce, could lead to reduced trade between the two countries.

This is part of the new economic policies of US President Donald Trump, which affect more than 180 countries around the world.

In a speech announcing the decision, Trump said: “These tariffs give our country protection against those that would do us economic harm. And many people were looking to do US economic harm, maybe not so obviously, but they were doing tremendous economic harm. But even more importantly, these tariffs are gonna give us growth.”

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment has warned that, given the high transportation costs of goods to the US, the imposition of these tariffs could severely reduce Afghan exports.

According to chamber officials, the US market is one of the key destinations for Afghan products. In 2024 alone, Afghanistan exported goods worth $9 million to the US.

Mirzaman Popal, acting head of finance and administration at the chamber of commerce and investment, stated: "Our suggestion to the US government is that Afghanistan has just emerged from crisis and war, and its trade with the US should not be disrupted."

Wasim Safi, CEO of the agriculture and livestock chamber, also said: "The 10% tariff will undoubtedly have a negative impact on Afghan exports. We are an agricultural country and have not yet fully mechanized. We need international support."

Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy minister of economy, also responded to the move, saying: "The new tariffs will harm trade and exports of both countries. We urge the US government to pursue export development instead of strict policies."

According to commerce officials, handicrafts, dried fruits, and carpets are among the main Afghan exports to the United States.

As a member of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) or a least developed country, Afghanistan previously benefited from tariff exemptions for exports to the US and the European Union.