What is perhaps most extraordinary about the overthrow of close to a century’s trade policy is that nobody, apparently, told the president that a procedure that puts Lesotho on the naughtiest step would make the US look ludicrous.

Among the African nations hardest hit by the tariffs is Lesotho, a tiny, impoverished mountain kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa.

South Africa, the world's second largest citrus exporter after Spain, ships between 5%-6% of its produce to the U. S., earning more than $100 million annually.

A new baseline tariff of 10% slapped on all imports announced on April 2 came into force on April 5, while “reciprocal” tariffs will enter into force on Wednesday.