Link to article:https://apnews.com/article/ivory-coast-cocoa-farmers-trump-tariffs-406a27c616a35cc3861ba9cb2b91fd60
In Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, farmers are struggling due to poor weather, plant diseases, and rising production costs. Now, they face added uncertainty from former President Donald Trump’s proposed 21% tariff on Ivorian products, including cocoa. Although the tariff is currently paused for 90 days, it has already caused concern among farmers and local authorities, who fear it will raise global cocoa prices, reduce U.S. demand, and further destabilize the market. Ivory Coast exports 2–2.5 million metric tons of cocoa annually, with the U.S. being a significant importer. Cocoa is the country’s second-largest export after gold, valued at $3.68 billion in 2023. U.S. tariffs could push more cocoa into European markets, potentially lowering prices due to oversupply and reducing farmer profits.
The tariffs have really brought this small country that depends so heavily on exports of cocoa to the united states for there employment and just wealth overall. Trump said that these tariffs were supposed to be fair and trying to get other nations to talk or negotiate with him. I see how this can be important for big countries like china or the EU who have huge GDPs. Ivory coast is a vital economic lifeline for many farmers and the country’s second-largest export is under mounting pressure from a combination of climate challenges and international trade tensions. Now they have to deal with the tariffs. The situation highlights how global politics and environmental shifts are intersecting to strain one of the world’s most important agricultural industries.
Through liberal theory which is all about international cooperation and economic interdependence and pathways to peace. The united states tariffs on the Ivory Coast undermine all of the stability that has already established. Instead of fostering the mutual economic values that trade brings the united states is breaking that trust that comes along with trade. As ivory Coast depends so heavily on the export of cocoa to the united states but now that these tariffs where placed it has caused heavy economic instability in a country that is also struggling with natural problems to. These tariffs are a direct shot at the cooperative norms that liberal theory values.