Ethiopian leather could benefit from US tariffs, suggests business director
The head of Addis Ababa Industry Development Bureau, Paulos Kussa, has told the Ethiopia Herald that the county’s comparatively low tariff rate places its export sector in a favourable position for exporting to the US, particularly for products including leather and textiles.
He said: "This is a golden opportunity for Ethiopian exporters. The comparatively lower tariff enhances our competitiveness in the US market, especially at a time when many global suppliers are facing steeper trade barriers.”
The newspaper reported Addis Ababa's manufacturing sector is showing signs of revival, with 207 industries exporting to international markets, and 131 new businesses.
However, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation takes a dim view of the tariffs.
Recent estimates indicate that 450 million people work in global supply chains. A rise in protectionism in advanced countries will slow down industrialisation efforts and impede poverty reduction by limiting job creation and economic opportunities, it said.
UNIDO director general Gerd Müller said: “Rather than erecting barriers to industrial trade, a fairer and sustainable global economy should be the goal.
“I just returned from West Africa where our partners and I discussed the current US tariff policy measures and the worrying impact on industrial and economic development, including on key industries such as textiles and food. UNIDO continues to stand with its member states, and to support them in diversifying their economies, strengthening local and regional trade and building greater resilience to external shocks, while promoting a fair global trade, that allows developing countries and in particular least developed countries to prosper.”
