NIPDB urges government to engage the US over tariffs

By: Envaalde Matheus

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has called on the government to urgently initiate bilateral talks with the United States or use SACU channels to negotiate a review of rising tariffs.

The call comes amid growing concerns that unilateral tariff increases threaten Namibia’s access to key US markets.

Officials warn that the move undermines World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contradicts the spirit of AGOA preferences.

Speaking to NewsonOne, NIPDB Manager of Trade and Investment Policy Roberth Simon emphasised the need for Namibia to champion fair, rules-based trade with the US.

“The tariffs need to be corrected. Economic diplomacy and state-to-state engagement at the government level must be prioritised, as soon as yesterday,” he said.

Simon said the issue can be tackled individually by the country or by collaborating with SACU partners to engage U.S. government together. He said this approach will resolve tariff-related issues and ensures the tariffs align with both
WTO principles and AGOA requirements.”

Simon said the government must look beyond AGOA’s short-term, uncertain benefits by exploring more stable trade frameworks like Free Trade Agreements (FTA) or Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).

“AGOA does provide benefits for many of our products, and we appreciate that. However, it does not really provide certainty for new investments, because this agreement is being reviwed every year,” remarked Simon.

Simon warned that if left unaddressed, higher US tariffs on Namibian exports could lead to reduced demand, risking production slowdowns and job losses in key export-driven sectors.

“If you look at the $3.1 billion worth of exports that this country exported to the U.S. last year, maintaining that same figure going forward would result in over $600 million in taxes,” he said while adding
that this would make Namibian products uncompetitive, and ultimately unwanted, in that market.”