Mmegi

How to talk to Trump, according to a key ally

Man of action: Trump
Man of action: Trump

With the threat of a 37% tariff being imposed on the country this month, President Duma Boko recently said he was eager to engage the U.S administration and vowed to secure mutual agreement. In Abuja last week, a long-time, key ally of Donald Trump offered lessons on how to speak with the U.S leader. MBONGENI MGUNI was in the audience

President Duma Boko recently said he was prepared to drop everything and rush to the United States in the event that the administration there indicated it was open to trade talks. Under the calculations made by the U.S government, Botswana could face a tariff of 37% on its goods to the world’s single richest market.

While Botswana’s diamonds are sold through a network of value added centres in countries such as India, China, Israel and the European Union, there is a level of direct, albeit small, exports to the U.S. Each of these other centres are individually negotiating trade deals with the Trump administration to varying degrees of success.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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