Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes Gawaxab warned that a new 15% U.S. tariff on polished diamonds threatens to erode the country’s trade balance and public finances. Diamonds account for roughly 10% of Namibia’s gross domestic product and more than one-fifth of its export earnings. The measure, effective Aug. 1 as part of Washington’s broader ‘reciprocal’ trade policy covering most African nations, could trim export volumes just as Namibia’s economic growth is slowing; the central bank expects GDP to expand 3.5% in 2025, down from 3.7% this year. Other Namibian exports, including marble and salt, also face higher costs in the U.S. market, while uranium shipments remain exempt because of their strategic importance to Washington. Industry representatives are urging continued dialogue with U.S. counterparts to mitigate the fallout. Separately, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings said the broader economic impact of U.S. tariff policy will be a decisive factor in future assessments of the United States’ sovereign credit rating, underscoring the potential domestic repercussions of the trade measures.