The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country rich in soil and subsoil resources, renowned for its natural wealth but marked by a fragile and poorly diversified economy, faces new challenges in its international trade relations and international tariff barriers. Among the tariffs imposed on several African countries, the DRC is also subject to U.S. duties on Congolese products, with rates rising from 11% to 15%. These tariff measures could negatively affect the Congolese economy, local processing, and further weaken its trade policy, notably by hindering exports and reducing competitiveness in the global market.
U.S. trade policy under the administration of Donald Trump marked a major and burdensome turning point for several African countries, and the DRC was no exception, despite diplomatic progress between the U.S. and the DRC. These new tariff barriers, which impose additional duties on Congolese export products, raise concerns among local entrepreneurs and about the future of the DRC’s economy.
Behind this measure, economic operators perceive both an economic signal and political pressure from the Trump administration, alongside the absolute silence of the Congolese government regarding the economic challenges tearing the country apart.
Direct Impact on the Congolese Economy Set to be Limited
The DRC is the world’s leading producer of cobalt and one of the main suppliers of copper. However, a significant portion of these exports is sent to U.S. companies or subsidiaries based in other countries. Who, then, would benefit from the Lobito Corridor, considered both a driver of regional development and a means of reducing cross-border barriers for the import and export of natural resources and agricultural products from the DRC? The increase in tariffs could reduce the competitiveness of Congolese products on the U.S. market, generate political instability, and push buyers toward other suppliers. Trade in goods between the United States and the DRC in 2024 reached $227.5 million, up 21.9% ($40.9 million) compared to 2023. U.S. trade in goods and services with the DRC totalled approximately $1.0 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.4% ($79.1 million) compared to 2023.
The mining sector represents about 90% of the DRC’s exports and directly or indirectly employs hundreds of thousands of people. A contraction in U.S. demand could slow down investments, hinder certain advances of the mining code, and affect the revenues of traders and entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These tariffs on exports to the United States could create a barrier to the inflow of foreign currency, affect the stability of the Congolese franc, and increase dependence on other partners such as China, already seen as a competitor to the United States in several sectors, notably mining, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and more in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a report published by the World Bank Group in 2025 on the DRC’s economy, copper exports in 2024 accounted for 38% of GDP and 80% of the country’s goods exports, supported by rising global prices and increased production driven by Kamoa-Kakula. Cobalt and other metals also expanded, bringing the total value of goods exports to 57% of GDP. This momentum reversed the historical decline of the Congolese share in global trade.
Copper, Cobalt, Gold, and Other Exports (as % of GDP), 2018–2024
Source: Central Bank of Congo
While raw materials make up significant share of the DRC’s exports and economy, the majority of copper and cobalt is exported to China over 70%, followed by India and certain European countries. The United States absorbs only a marginal share of these exports, which limits the direct impact of potential U.S. tariffs on the Congolese GDP. Furthermore, most copper products are currently exempted from the new tariffs meaning that they will have a limited effect for now. However, President Trump has threatened copper tariffs of up to 50% in recent months which leaves open the very real possibility of further disruption and direct economic hits in the near future.
However, the indirect effects of these tariffs on the Congolese economy could weaken local entrepreneurs. Indeed, the DRC’s exports to the United States represent a strategic opportunity, particularly for locally processed products. These exports include refined copper, cobalt, coffee, cocoa, tea, palm oil, ginger, as well as certain fishery, livestock, and textile products.
Entrepreneurs operating in these sectors are particularly exposed to the customs barriers imposed by U.S. trade policy. This increase in tariffs risks discouraging American importers, leading to a decline in export volumes and threatening the survival of many Congolese small and medium-sized enterprises. Such a situation would result in lower revenues, slower investment in the modernization of local production, and a weakening of the DRC’s competitiveness.
In the event of persistent difficulties linked to higher tariffs, local entrepreneurs would have limited capacity to process these products domestically and would be forced to concentrate their sales toward China, India, or South Africa, thereby reinforcing their dependency and reducing their bargaining power over prices. Moreover, a drop in Congolese exports to the U.S. market could cause producers to lose their commercial competitiveness, making a potential return to this market much more challenging. The DRC lags behind other countries in implementing international standards required by trade agreements.
If the Congolese government does not act quickly to anticipate this scenario, Congolese entrepreneurs could face serious challenges in the U.S. market. Congolese products would become too expensive, paving the way for increased competition from neighboring countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, or even Côte d’Ivoire in the case of cocoa and coffee, which could capture a significant share of the market and weaken the DRC’s trade position.
Finally, in response to these tariff barriers, some Congolese entrepreneurs might turn to informal or illegal channels, depriving the State of tax revenues, fuelling corruption, and strengthening criticism of national trade policy.
Political Pressure on Mining Agreements
Several experts believe that these tariffs under Trump’s policy are not solely motivated by economic principles, but also by an attempt to renegotiate or influence the terms of the DRC’s mining agreements, particularly those that favour China. The threat of resetting tariffs on certain products (copper, for example, has already been threatened with 50% levies) could disrupt global trade balances and undermine local processing in the DRC, which is nevertheless essential for creating jobs for young people.
The United States, eager to secure its supply of critical minerals for the energy transition, could use these tariff pressures as a diplomatic lever to push African states—particularly the Congolese state—to rebalance their partnerships.
Local Products to Suffer Indirect Impacts
This analysis highlights several major challenges stemming from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s flawed international trade policies, which increase barriers for entrepreneurs and their products on the global market. The mining, agricultural, and other sectors could be negatively affected by these tariff barriers and by a limited number of partnerships. Such barriers risk reducing job creation for young people and weakening international trade opportunities for Congolese entrepreneurs.
Any global political instability or shifts in the trade policies of major powers, such as the United States or China, can trigger a sudden drop in demand or a fall in prices. This volatility complicates long-term planning for Congolese entrepreneurs and threatens the stability of their incomes.
In the face of U.S. protectionist threats, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a major strategic opportunity for the DRC. By opening a market of more than 1.3 billion consumers and reducing about 90% of intra-African tariffs, the AfCFTA offers Congolese entrepreneurs the chance to diversify their markets.
This would allow greater value addition through local transformation—for example, exporting chocolate instead of cocoa beans, or textiles instead of raw cotton—while stimulating job creation and boosting the competitiveness of Congolese production.
Furthermore, integration into African regional value chains would strengthen the DRC’s resilience against global fluctuations and tariff barriers imposed by major powers. Congolese exporters could rely on improved logistics corridors, sell their products more easily in neighboring countries, and participate in the development of regional industries, such as battery production in South Africa or cocoa processing in West Africa.
Thus, instead of suffering the consequences of excessive dependence on Western markets, the DRC could leverage the AfCFTA to consolidate its role as a regional economic power and reinforce its bargaining power on the international stage.
Summary of Recommendations
1. Ministry of Foreign Trade
Quickly engage in discussions with the United States to obtain partial exemptions or preferential quotas on certain strategic products (refined copper, cobalt, cocoa, coffee, etc.).
Strengthen trade cooperation with other states and African regions within the framework of the AfCFTA to reduce dependence on the U.S. market.
- Support for Local Processing
Negotiate agreements that reduce trade barriers and domestic regulations in order to strengthen the competitiveness of processed products.
- Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue
Promote consultation platforms between the government, private sector, mining operators, and civil society for more inclusive and predictable governance.
2. Entrepreneurs
- Innovation and Local Processing
Identify and exploit high-growth market niches. Address barriers to the development of enterprises specialising in semi-finished or finished products to better withstand tariff barriers.
- Diversification of Markets
Actively prioritise gaining access to regional markets (Southern Africa, East Africa, AfCFTA) to reduce dependence on the US market and boost resilience to indirect shocks caused by American tariffs.
Conclusion
The tariffs imposed by Trump’s policy on Congolese products represent both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge, because they risk weakening exports, investments, and the macroeconomic stability of the DRC. An opportunity, because they highlight the urgent need to diversify markets, promote local processing, strengthen regional ties within the AfCFTA framework, and enhance the country’s economic resilience.
For the DRC, this situation should catalyse a more ambitious and balanced trade strategy, one that emphasises economic freedom, competitiveness, and the reduction of vulnerability to trade barriers.
Aristote Mugisho is the Founder and Director of the Research for Development and Prosperity Institute, a free market think tank in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country rich in soil and subsoil resources, renowned for its natural wealth but marked by a fragile and poorly diversified economy, faces new challenges in its international trade relations and international tariff barriers. Among the tariffs imposed on several African countries, the DRC is also subject to U.S. duties on Congolese products, with rates rising from 11% to 15%. These tariff measures could negatively affect the Congolese economy, local processing, and further weaken its trade policy, notably by hindering exports and reducing competitiveness in the global market.
U.S. trade policy under the administration of Donald Trump marked a major and burdensome turning point for several African countries, and the DRC was no exception, despite diplomatic progress between the U.S. and the DRC. These new tariff barriers, which impose additional duties on Congolese export products, raise concerns among local entrepreneurs and about the future of the DRC’s economy.
Behind this measure, economic operators perceive both an economic signal and political pressure from the Trump administration, alongside the absolute silence of the Congolese government regarding the economic challenges tearing the country apart.
Direct Impact on the Congolese Economy Set to be Limited
The DRC is the world’s leading producer of cobalt and one of the main suppliers of copper. However, a significant portion of these exports is sent to U.S. companies or subsidiaries based in other countries. Who, then, would benefit from the Lobito Corridor, considered both a driver of regional development and a means of reducing cross-border barriers for the import and export of natural resources and agricultural products from the DRC? The increase in tariffs could reduce the competitiveness of Congolese products on the U.S. market, generate political instability, and push buyers toward other suppliers. Trade in goods between the United States and the DRC in 2024 reached $227.5 million, up 21.9% ($40.9 million) compared to 2023. U.S. trade in goods and services with the DRC totalled approximately $1.0 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.4% ($79.1 million) compared to 2023.
The mining sector represents about 90% of the DRC’s exports and directly or indirectly employs hundreds of thousands of people. A contraction in U.S. demand could slow down investments, hinder certain advances of the mining code, and affect the revenues of traders and entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These tariffs on exports to the United States could create a barrier to the inflow of foreign currency, affect the stability of the Congolese franc, and increase dependence on other partners such as China, already seen as a competitor to the United States in several sectors, notably mining, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and more in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a report published by the World Bank Group in 2025 on the DRC’s economy, copper exports in 2024 accounted for 38% of GDP and 80% of the country’s goods exports, supported by rising global prices and increased production driven by Kamoa-Kakula. Cobalt and other metals also expanded, bringing the total value of goods exports to 57% of GDP. This momentum reversed the historical decline of the Congolese share in global trade.
Copper, Cobalt, Gold, and Other Exports (as % of GDP), 2018–2024
Source: Central Bank of Congo
While raw materials make up significant share of the DRC’s exports and economy, the majority of copper and cobalt is exported to China over 70%, followed by India and certain European countries. The United States absorbs only a marginal share of these exports, which limits the direct impact of potential U.S. tariffs on the Congolese GDP. Furthermore, most copper products are currently exempted from the new tariffs meaning that they will have a limited effect for now. However, President Trump has threatened copper tariffs of up to 50% in recent months which leaves open the very real possibility of further disruption and direct economic hits in the near future.
However, the indirect effects of these tariffs on the Congolese economy could weaken local entrepreneurs. Indeed, the DRC’s exports to the United States represent a strategic opportunity, particularly for locally processed products. These exports include refined copper, cobalt, coffee, cocoa, tea, palm oil, ginger, as well as certain fishery, livestock, and textile products.
Entrepreneurs operating in these sectors are particularly exposed to the customs barriers imposed by U.S. trade policy. This increase in tariffs risks discouraging American importers, leading to a decline in export volumes and threatening the survival of many Congolese small and medium-sized enterprises. Such a situation would result in lower revenues, slower investment in the modernization of local production, and a weakening of the DRC’s competitiveness.
In the event of persistent difficulties linked to higher tariffs, local entrepreneurs would have limited capacity to process these products domestically and would be forced to concentrate their sales toward China, India, or South Africa, thereby reinforcing their dependency and reducing their bargaining power over prices. Moreover, a drop in Congolese exports to the U.S. market could cause producers to lose their commercial competitiveness, making a potential return to this market much more challenging. The DRC lags behind other countries in implementing international standards required by trade agreements.
If the Congolese government does not act quickly to anticipate this scenario, Congolese entrepreneurs could face serious challenges in the U.S. market. Congolese products would become too expensive, paving the way for increased competition from neighboring countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, or even Côte d’Ivoire in the case of cocoa and coffee, which could capture a significant share of the market and weaken the DRC’s trade position.
Finally, in response to these tariff barriers, some Congolese entrepreneurs might turn to informal or illegal channels, depriving the State of tax revenues, fuelling corruption, and strengthening criticism of national trade policy.
Political Pressure on Mining Agreements
Several experts believe that these tariffs under Trump’s policy are not solely motivated by economic principles, but also by an attempt to renegotiate or influence the terms of the DRC’s mining agreements, particularly those that favour China. The threat of resetting tariffs on certain products (copper, for example, has already been threatened with 50% levies) could disrupt global trade balances and undermine local processing in the DRC, which is nevertheless essential for creating jobs for young people.
The United States, eager to secure its supply of critical minerals for the energy transition, could use these tariff pressures as a diplomatic lever to push African states—particularly the Congolese state—to rebalance their partnerships.
Local Products to Suffer Indirect Impacts
This analysis highlights several major challenges stemming from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s flawed international trade policies, which increase barriers for entrepreneurs and their products on the global market. The mining, agricultural, and other sectors could be negatively affected by these tariff barriers and by a limited number of partnerships. Such barriers risk reducing job creation for young people and weakening international trade opportunities for Congolese entrepreneurs.
Any global political instability or shifts in the trade policies of major powers, such as the United States or China, can trigger a sudden drop in demand or a fall in prices. This volatility complicates long-term planning for Congolese entrepreneurs and threatens the stability of their incomes.
In the face of U.S. protectionist threats, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a major strategic opportunity for the DRC. By opening a market of more than 1.3 billion consumers and reducing about 90% of intra-African tariffs, the AfCFTA offers Congolese entrepreneurs the chance to diversify their markets.
This would allow greater value addition through local transformation—for example, exporting chocolate instead of cocoa beans, or textiles instead of raw cotton—while stimulating job creation and boosting the competitiveness of Congolese production.
Furthermore, integration into African regional value chains would strengthen the DRC’s resilience against global fluctuations and tariff barriers imposed by major powers. Congolese exporters could rely on improved logistics corridors, sell their products more easily in neighboring countries, and participate in the development of regional industries, such as battery production in South Africa or cocoa processing in West Africa.
Thus, instead of suffering the consequences of excessive dependence on Western markets, the DRC could leverage the AfCFTA to consolidate its role as a regional economic power and reinforce its bargaining power on the international stage.
Summary of Recommendations
1. Ministry of Foreign Trade
Quickly engage in discussions with the United States to obtain partial exemptions or preferential quotas on certain strategic products (refined copper, cobalt, cocoa, coffee, etc.).
Strengthen trade cooperation with other states and African regions within the framework of the AfCFTA to reduce dependence on the U.S. market.
Negotiate agreements that reduce trade barriers and domestic regulations in order to strengthen the competitiveness of processed products.
Promote consultation platforms between the government, private sector, mining operators, and civil society for more inclusive and predictable governance.
2. Entrepreneurs
Identify and exploit high-growth market niches. Address barriers to the development of enterprises specialising in semi-finished or finished products to better withstand tariff barriers.
Actively prioritise gaining access to regional markets (Southern Africa, East Africa, AfCFTA) to reduce dependence on the US market and boost resilience to indirect shocks caused by American tariffs.
Conclusion
The tariffs imposed by Trump’s policy on Congolese products represent both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge, because they risk weakening exports, investments, and the macroeconomic stability of the DRC. An opportunity, because they highlight the urgent need to diversify markets, promote local processing, strengthen regional ties within the AfCFTA framework, and enhance the country’s economic resilience.
For the DRC, this situation should catalyse a more ambitious and balanced trade strategy, one that emphasises economic freedom, competitiveness, and the reduction of vulnerability to trade barriers.
Aristote Mugisho is the Founder and Director of the Research for Development and Prosperity Institute, a free market think tank in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aristote Mugisho