Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Arab Countries

The American President Donald Trump announced a sweeping tariff policy targeting numerous Arab countries, stating that the United States would impose the same tariff rates on foreign nations as they do on American products.

In his address at the White House on what he called "Liberation Day," Trump emphasized that a 10% tariff would be the minimum applied, calling it a fair approach to global trade. 

As part of this policy, several Arab nations—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Djibouti—were subjected to a 10% tariff on their exports to the U.S.

However, some countries faced significantly higher tariffs. Syria was hit with the highest rate at 41%, followed by Iraq at 39%, Libya at 31%, Algeria at 30%, Tunisia at 28%, and Jordan at 20%. These measures were part of Trump’s broader effort to address what he described as unfair trade practices that harmed American businesses.

The tariffs drew criticism from several Arab governments and economic experts, who warned of potential negative impacts on trade relations and regional economies.

Some analysts argued that the decision could hinder foreign investment and disrupt key industries, particularly in energy and manufacturing.

While the Trump administration defended the move as necessary to level the playing field, questions remain about how these tariffs affected long-term U.S.-Arab economic ties. Since Trump’s presidency, discussions have continued about whether to maintain, adjust, or remove these tariffs under subsequent administrations.