Fiji's Ministry of Trade strategically ahead in the queue for tariff talks with the US

As the clock ticks down on the US tariffs, the stakes rise and nobody wants to be out in the cold on July 8th but since mid-April, the Trump administration has prioritised 20 or so economies which include big trading partners that would be heavily penalised by the deferred reciprocal tariffs, such as the European Union, Japan and Vietnam, as well as a few minnows, such as Fiji.

The Economist reports that American policymakers believe that negotiations with Britain and Fiji are a useful signal of their desires to countries that are further back in the queue, and one which should accelerate other negotiations.

When approached by fijivillage News on Fiji getting strategically ahead in the queue for talks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica says Fiji is committed to working with the USA on the tariff negotiations and achieve a win-win outcome for both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says Fiji appreciates that the US is one of its most significant trading, strategic and development partner.

He says in that context, the trade negotiations currently being under taken by the Ministry of Trade with the US and ably led by Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica is expected to reach an agreement that would be mutually acceptable to both the US and Fiji.

Fiji's exports to the US are subject to a 32 percent tariff under a new US policy introduced by President Trump in April 2025.

This tariff is part of a broader reciprocal tariff policy designed to address trade imbalances with other countries.

While a 90-day suspension of tariffs beyond the baseline 10 percent has been announced, the 32 percent tariff on Fiji will be reinstated on July 9th, 2025, unless further actions are taken.

Professor Prasad had earlier said the imposition of a 32 percent across the board tariff on Fijian exports into the US is quite disproportionate and unfair, and 96 percent of what the United States exports to Fiji attracts either zero duty or just 5 percent.

According to the charts shared by Trump and the White House, Fiji charges the US 63 percent tariffs – including currency manipulation and trade barriers.

This 63 percent tariff claim is incorrect as Fiji does not have that level of tariff for any goods or country.