Tunisia faces a decent commercial blow after the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a series of customs duties strongly impacting his exports.
From April 9, a 28 % tax will apply to Tunisian products, placing the country among the nations most severely affected by this new American trade policy. Among the most concerned products are olive oil and dates, two pillars of Tunisian exports to the United States.
Three times more than Morocco
This decision, announced during the “Liberation Day”, contrasts strongly with the treatment reserved for the Moroccan neighbor, which benefits from a preferential rate of only 10 % thanks to its free trade agreement with the United States. A disparity which risks accentuating the imbalance of regional competitiveness, to the detriment of an already weakened Tunisian economy.
In the broader framework of his “reindustrialisation” strategy, Trump has established a 10 % floor customs floor on all products entering the United States from April 5, followed by specific taxes depending on the country from April 9. The European Union will be taxed at 20 %, China at 34 %, India at 26 %and Japan at 24 %.
Olive oil and threatened dates
The Tunisian exports most affected by this increase in prices are mainly olive oil and dates, two flagship products of Tunisian foreign trade. These new taxes are likely to hinder their competitiveness on the American market, where Tunisia had gradually imposed itself as a major player.
Faced with this American commercial offensive, several international partners, including the European Union, are already preparing their response, announced for “before the end of April”, according to the French government spokesperson.
