Trump taps Kenya for pacts in agriculture despite tariff spat

US President Donald Trump during the National Prayer Breakfast at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2025. [AFP] The Trump administration is now prioritising Kenya for food and agriculture agreements despite having imposed tariffs that have strained the trade partnership between Nairobi and Washington. Under the new initiative, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide support to Kenya, alongside Ethiopia and Ghana, through its "Food for Progress Programme." The decision comes despite the recent 10 per cent reciprocal import tariff slapped on Kenyan goods by Washington, a move that has sparked alarm among Kenyan manufacturers and officials, who fear shipments en route to the US will be locked out and stranded. President Trump has temporarily frozen the 10 per cent tariffs he imposed on Kenya, with local officials warning of a potential Sh12.9 billion ($100 million) hit to Kenya's export earnings from the newly imposed US tariffs. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has been vocal in its opposition to the tariffs, urging for a transitional clause to protect ongoing trade. However, a USDA internal planning document identifies Kenya as a priority country for the Food for Progress Programme in fiscal year 2025. This programme aims to help developing countries modernise and strengthen their agricultural sectors through the commercial sale of US agricultural commodities, with the proceeds supporting agricultural, economic, or infrastructure development. Sources familiar with the Trump administration's strategy indicate a keen interest in positioning Kenya as a gateway for US agricultural imports into East Africa, particularly its genetically modified (GM) maize or corn. American firms are also reportedly eager to gain a substantial share of the potential GMO market in Kenya. Washington has been actively pressuring Nairobi to ease regulations and allow access to its GM food and crop products, presenting a significant market opportunity for US agribusiness. Kenya recently lifted a decades-old ban on GM crops in response to a severe drought affecting the East African region, hoping the technology will improve crop yields and bolster food security. However, this decision has been met with skepticism from local farmers and health advocates. The USDA initiative also aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya's food safety regulations. A recent workshop, backed by the USDA through the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA), focused on developing a roadmap for industry capacity building in food safety. This comes at a time when public demand for safer food products in Kenya is rising, prompting the government to draft the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill, which is currently in the National Assembly. The USDA, through FAEA, has invested over Sh64.5 million to support Kenya in drafting a comprehensive food and feed safety policy and bill. Despite the anticipated increases in local production for the 2025-26 harvesting season, a recent USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) report projected that Kenya will remain a net importer of essential staples, including maize, wheat, and rice, highlighting the persistent challenges hindering Kenya's food self-sufficiency. The report also noted that the ongoing restrictions on genetically engineered products limit Kenya's access to advanced agricultural technologies that could enhance productivity. Analysts say while the Trump tariffs on Kenya have upset the established trade partnership and raised concerns about the immediate future of Kenyan exports, the focus on food and agriculture pacts signals a longer-term strategic interest in Kenya's role within the East African region and its potential as a market for American agricultural products, particularly GMOs. The success of these new pacts will likely depend on navigating the current trade tensions and addressing the concerns of Kenyan stakeholders regarding food safety and agricultural practices, analysts said.

Trump taps Kenya for pacts in agriculture despite tariff spat

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