Côte d’Ivoire has warned that it may raise cocoa prices in retaliation if steep new US tariffs announced by President Donald Trump are enforced. The move could increase global cocoa costs and impact American consumers.
The US administration last week imposed 21 percent tariffs on cocoa imports from Côte d’Ivoire, the highest such duty in West Africa. However, President Trump announced on Wednesday that the tariffs would be suspended for 90 days pending further review.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ivorian Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani called on Washington to reconsider its stance, warning that the cost of cocoa could rise if the tariffs proceed.
‘When you tax our product that we export to your country, we will increase the price of cocoa, and that will have a repercussion on the price to the consumer,’ Kouassi said, as quoted by Reuters.
Consumer impact could be significant
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest cocoa producer and exports between 200,000 and 300,000 metric tonnes of cocoa to the United States annually, according to data from the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC).
While global cocoa prices are set by international markets, Adjoumani hinted at potential policy shifts that could affect costs. One option, he suggested, could be an increase in export taxes to compensate for revenue losses—effectively making Ivorian cocoa more expensive on the global stage.
‘It’s the end consumer who will be harmed,’ he warned.
Though no specific measures were outlined, the minister’s comments signal a willingness to act if the US does not withdraw the proposed tariffs. Export tax hikes or trade diversions could both serve as pressure tactics.
EU partnership seen as safety net
In response to the escalating trade dispute, Adjoumani also said that Côte d’Ivoire is actively seeking to strengthen its trade ties with the European Union. He noted that the country could redirect its US-bound cocoa exports to Europe if necessary.
‘If our products are not accepted in the United States, the EU can recover all of them,’ he said.
The EU already represents a major trading partner for Côte d’Ivoire, and closer cooperation could help offset any shortfall if US imports decline. The potential for disrupted supply chains is raising fresh concerns across the cocoa sector.
This trade friction comes at a time when global cocoa markets are already volatile, driven by climate concerns, rising demand, and tighter supply. Any shift in Ivorian policy could ripple across the chocolate industry, especially in the US, where Côte d’Ivoire supplies a significant portion of raw cocoa.
90-day reprieve offers uncertain relief
While the 90-day delay in implementing the tariffs gives both sides time to negotiate, the warning from Côte d’Ivoire highlights the fragility of global commodity supply chains under escalating trade disputes.
The proposed tariffs are part of a broader US push to rebalance trade with dozens of countries, but they risk triggering retaliation and trade realignments that could hurt consumers and industries alike.
As Côte d’Ivoire weighs its options, the world’s cocoa supply remains in the spotlight, with markets watching closely for any shift that could push prices even higher. (Africabriefing)
