Afghan Ministry Warns US Tariffs Could Hinder Economic Growth

According to the ministry, this decision disproportionately harms the Afghan people, handicraft producers, small businesses, and women entrepreneurs.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has urged the US government to adopt a supportive and constructive approach in trade relations and exports with Afghanistan.

Jawad stated: “Considering that Afghanistan is a developing and economically vulnerable country, such trade pressures could hinder its economic progress. Afghanistan needs to import tools, equipment, and modern technologies from the United States for growth in various sectors.”

Meanwhile, several economic experts have called on the Trump administration to reconsider this decision, citing global trade challenges that already affect Afghanistan.

Ismail Zadran, an economic analyst, said: “This decision directly impacts us because Afghan traders, ordinary citizens, and farmers were exporting products like dried fruits and carpets to the U.S. and selling them at good prices. With the new tariffs, there will undoubtedly be additional financial pressure on them.”

Abdul Ghafar Nezami, another economic expert, said: “It would have been much better if a fairer approach had been taken toward Afghanistan. The country should not have been placed among those subject to high tariffs. Unfortunately, this is the policy that has been adopted against Afghanistan.”

Previously, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment also responded to the US decision by noting that, as a member of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for least developed countries, Afghan products were previously exported to the US and European Union duty-free.