Summary:

On 7 July 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Tunisian imports as part of a broader tariff package targeting more than a dozen countries. The measure, initially scheduled for April but delayed due to market instability, was officially confirmed through a letter addressed to Tunisian President Kais Saied and shared via Trump’s Truth Social platform. 

In the letter, Trump warned Tunisia against retaliatory actions, stating that any increase in Tunisian tariffs would be matched by a proportional increase on US tariffs. Notably, the 25% tariff imposed on Tunisia marks a slight reduction from the 28% initially announced in April, signaling a possible willingness to negotiate. 

According to Mosaique FM, the United States is expected to implement the new tariff on Tunisian exports in stages. An initial 10% rate was scheduled to take effect on July 8, 2025, and remain in place through July 31, pending the outcome of bilateral negotiations.  

However, as of July 11, it remains unclear whether this initial rate has been formally enacted. If no agreement is reached by July 31, the tariff will automatically increase to the full 25% starting August 1. This was confirmed by Marouen Ben Jemaa, President of the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AmCham Tunisia), who stated that negotiations are currently underway between the two countries to reconsider the decision. 

Outlook: 

The new 25% US tariff imposed on Tunisia is part of Trump’s renewed strategy to pressure trade partners into revising their trade terms with the US. This measure poses a significant threat to Tunisia’s exports to the US market, particularly its olive oil sector, which accounted for $480 million in shipments to the US in 2024.  

Failure to reach a new trade agreement will sharply reduce Tunisia’s competitiveness in this key market, resulting in lower exports and revenues. The measure may also be interpreted as a signal from Washington that trade relations will be increasingly conditioned by broader strategic interests, potentially influencing Tunisia’s foreign policy alignments. 

Additionally, the new measure could strain diplomatic relations and exacerbate Tunisia’s already growing trade deficit, highlighting the urgent need for constructive negotiations between the two countries. 

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