Syria and Iraq among countries hit with Trump’s tariffs
US tariffs on Syria and Iraq have been implemented on August 7th, as part of wider policy drive to restructure global commerce for the benefit of the US, according to The New Arab plus agencies.
Several countries in the Middle East were hit with tariffs, with Syria being hit with a 41% tariff on all goods and its neighbour Iraq facing a 35% tariff. North African countries, including Algeria and Libya got 30% tariffs while Tunisia got a 25% tariff. This follows the imposition of an executive order that increased US import duties from 10% to levels between 15 and 41% for various trading partners.
Alongside the implementation of tariffs on North African and Middle Eastern countries, the Trump administration has slapped 39% tariffs on Switzerland, with the Swiss National Council set to hold a meeting later on August 7th.
On Truth Social, Trump said: “IT’S MIDNIGHT!!! BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFFS ARE NOW FLOWING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”
The US Tariffs could spark domestic issues. Industry organisations and companies warn that the new tariffs will make smaller US business suffer, while economists have said that the move could worsen inflation and weaken growth.
Since Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, The White House has pursued an aggressive protectionist agenda, targeting allies and trade rivals in a bid to promote domestic industry and exert geopolitical pressure through economic means.
Whilst tariffs had already been set on ‘Liberation Day’ (April 2nd) – a symbolic date marking Trump’s continued commitment to economic nativism, Trump’s ongoing trade war signals a continued escalation, potentially affecting Middle Eastern countries economically.
The New Arab plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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