# Eswatini: Tariffs, Trade & U.S. Exposure

Eswatini: America imported $25M in goods from Eswatini in 2025 (+11.8% in one year) and sold it $44M; the latest U.S. tariff action toward it (2026-04-06) is "Section 232 metals coverage expanded", in effect; it ships 1 essential good finished to American shelves (as of 2026-11-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/countries/sz
- As of: 2026-11-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Country code: SZ
- Region: Africa
- Capital: Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
- Government: absolute monarchy
- Population: 1M
- GDP: $4.9B
- U.S. imports from Eswatini, 2025: $25M
- Change in imports in one year: +11.8%
- U.S. imports 2026 through August: $12M
- U.S. exports to Eswatini, 2025: $44M
- Trade data source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis)
- Tariff treatment: universal baseline, no country-specific action
- Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline): 10%
- Section 301: no
- Tariff status verified: 2026-06-13
- Latest tariff action: 2026-04-06: Section 232 metals coverage expanded (in effect)
- Essential goods shipped finished to the U.S.: 1
- Coverage: data

## What you buy that Eswatini makes: U.S. imports, 2025

| Category | What it is | Value | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cane and beet sugar | cane and beet sugar | $12M | 47.5% |
| Fruits, frozen juices | fruit and frozen juices | $4M | 17.7% |
| Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton | synthetic and performance apparel | $2M | 9.2% |
| Apparel, household goods - cotton | cotton clothing and linens | $2M | 6.3% |
| Bakery products |   | $887K | 3.5% |
| Cell phones and other household goods, n.e.c. | cell phones and home electronics | $845K | 3.3% |
| Measuring, testing, control instruments |   | $839K | 3.3% |
| Metalworking machine tools |   | $346K | 1.4% |
| Industrial machines, other |   | $287K | 1.1% |
| Minimum value shipments |   | $236K | 0.9% |

2026 so far (through August): $12M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

## What America sells to Eswatini: U.S. exports, 2025

| Category | What it is | Value | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture-manufactured, other |   | $10M | 22.2% |
| Newsprint |   | $6M | 12.5% |
| Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts |   | $4M | 9% |
| Electric apparatus |   | $4M | 8.1% |
| Artwork, antiques, stamps, etc. |   | $3M | 7% |
| Industrial engines |   | $3M | 6.4% |
| Nuts |   | $3M | 6.4% |
| Chemicals-organic |   | $3M | 6.1% |
| Other foods |   | $2M | 3.6% |

## U.S. tariff posture toward Eswatini

No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.

- Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline): 10%. The universal 10% floor, a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline, applies to nearly all U.S. imports; this country has no higher assigned rate of its own.

## Tariff status, 6 changes since 2025

- 2026-04-06: Section 232 metals coverage expanded (in effect). The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%. [91 FR 18201](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06960)
- 2026-02-24: IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge (in effect, 10%). Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum). [91 FR 9437](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03832)
- 2025-11-13: Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs (in effect). Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff. [90 FR 54091](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-21203)
- 2025-06-04: Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50% (in effect). The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025. [90 FR 24199](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-10524)
- 2025-04-05: Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect (in effect, 10%). Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline. [Federal Register 2025-06063](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-06063)
- 2025-03-12: Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries (in effect). Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025. [90 FR 9817](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-02833)

## What Eswatini makes for America

- [Sugar](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/sugar) (food): $12M to the U.S., 1% of U.S. imports of it

## The country itself

A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens. In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections. Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan.

Geography
- Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
- Area: 17,364 sq km
- Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
- Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
- Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
- Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
- Natural hazards: drought

People and society
- Population: 1,137,268 (2025 est.)
- Nationality: liSwati (singular), emaSwati (plural); note - former term, Swazi(s), still used among English speakers
- Ethnic groups: predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry
- Languages: English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)
- Religions: Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and traditional African religions - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other Christian 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous, Jewish) (2015 est.)
- Median age: 24.8 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth: 60.7 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy: 90.8% (2022 est.)

Economy
- Economic overview: landlocked southern African economy; South African trade dependent and currency pegging; CMA and SACU member state; COVID-19 economic slowdown; growing utilities inflation; persistent poverty and unemployment; HIV/AIDS labor force disruptions
- Industries: soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel
- Agricultural products: sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)
- Exports - partners: South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)
- Imports - partners: South Africa 71%, China 8%, India 4%, USA 2%, Mozambique 1% (2023)

Government
- Government type: absolute monarchy
- Capital: Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
- Independence: 6 September 1968 (from the UK)
- Constitution: previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006
- Executive branch: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
- Legislative branch: Parliament (Libandla)

## Sources
- [91 FR 18201](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/09/2026-06960/strengthening-actions-taken-to-adjust-imports-of-aluminum-steel-and-copper-into-the-united-states)
- [91 FR 9437](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/25/2026-03832/ending-certain-tariff-actions)
- [90 FR 54091](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/25/2025-21203/modifying-the-scope-of-the-reciprocal-tariffs-with-respect-to-certain-agricultural-products)
- [90 FR 24199](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/09/2025-10524/adjusting-imports-of-aluminum-and-steel-into-the-united-states)
- [Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/07/2025-06063/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and)
- [90 FR 9817](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/18/2025-02833/adjusting-imports-of-steel-into-the-united-states)
- [CIA World Factbook, Eswatini](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/)

## Related
- [U.S. tariffs by country](https://policyrisk.com/tariffs)
- [All countries](https://policyrisk.com/countries)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/countries/sz (as of 2026-11-04).