Trump's Tariffs Impact Afghan, Indonesian, Omani Economies

The recent tariffs imposed by President Trump have sparked significant concern among various countries, including Afghanistan, Indonesia, and nations in the Middle East. Afghanistan's Ministry of Commerce highlighted that a 10% tariff on Afghan goods could severely impact small businesses and women entrepreneurs, urging the US to support Afghan economic growth instead. Indonesia faces tariffs up to 32% on key exports, prompting a shift towards partnerships in the Global South, particularly with Middle Eastern countries that are diversifying their economies. Meanwhile, some Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt and Jordan, view the tariffs as a potential opportunity to boost their manufacturing sectors, capitalizing on the increased costs faced by Southeast Asian competitors. Economists are puzzled by the reasoning behind these tariffs, which are ostensibly aimed at correcting trade imbalances but appear to overlook existing free trade agreements. Overall, the global response to Trump's tariffs is mixed, with some regions seeing both challenges and new opportunities.