France, April 4 -- The stiff new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump are shaking up trade ties between the United States and several African nations- many of whom have had preferential agreements with Washington for decades.

Unveiled at the White House on Thursday and dubbed "Liberation Day" by Trump, the plan imposes a minimum 10 percent tariff on all imported goods. It comes into effect on 5 April.

Countries with the largest trade deficits with the US will be hit with additional, reciprocal tariffs starting 9 April.

"Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can't get any simpler than that," Trump said.'Back to drawing board'

The new measures have drawn concern across the African continent. S...