While theEuropean Union has just concluded a strategic trade agreement with Washingtonobtaining a preferential customs rate of 15 % on the majority of its exports, Tunisia is found in a much more delicate position. Its flagship exports, such as olive oil, are now subject to a 25 % customs duty in the United States, against an exemption before. It is a shock for an already weakened vital sector.
Tunisia under price pressure
This price increase comes following an American review of special customs diets. Until then exempt, Tunisian olive oil must now face this salty tax, threatening the competitiveness of a key product of bilateral trade.
Tunisia, which considers itself a NOTO NATO strategic ally And a crucial partner for the Mediterranean security, actively pleads for a price alignment similar to that granted to the EU, even to certain Latin American countries. Tunisian negotiators highlight agricultural complementarity and the importance of security cooperation with Washington. Sources close to the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the file is processed “with particular attention”.
What levers for a winning “deal”?
To try to obtain a pricing revision before the deadline of the July 31the Tunisian authorities explore several avenues:
- The principle of special and differentiated treatment: Tunisia could invoke its status as an intermediate non-industrialized income country to obtain targeted exemptions.
- The mobilization of American lobbies: Actors in agriculture and the food industry in the United States, fond of low-cost Mediterranean ingredients could be precious allies to put pressure on a drop in customs prices.
- The search for a bilateral “mini-deal”: A targeted agreement including key products such as olive oil, dates and certain textiles, in a logic of balanced reciprocity, is also envisaged.
At present, Washington has not yet indicated that they want to give Tunisia a exemption comparable to that of the European Union. But the urgency is there: Tunis hopes for a favorable decision before the end of the month to relaunch its exports and secure its commercial future with the United States.
Letter from Trump to Kaïs Saïed: 25 % customs duties and a severe warning to Tunisia
