U.S. Slaps 30% Tariffs on Algerian Exports: Washington’s Trade Offensive Targets Key Partners Amid Declining Bilateral Exchange

U.S. Slaps 30% Tariffs on Algerian Exports: Washington’s Trade Offensive Targets Key Partners Amid Declining Bilateral Exchange

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

In a controversial move likely to strain economic ties, the United States imposes steep duties on Algerian goods, signaling a hardened stance on trade imbalances and provoking concern among affected nations.

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Algiers, Algeria– Friday, July 11, 2025 | In a move that is expected to reverberate across diplomatic and economic corridors, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, notified six countries, including Algeria, of new tariffs to be imposed on their exports to the United States starting August 1, 2025. The decision, formalized in letters dispatched by the White House, has drawn immediate concern for its potentially damaging impact on bilateral trade and multilateral relations.

Alongside Algeria, the targeted nations include Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines. For Algeria, the measure locks in a 30% tariff on all affected exports—a rate that remains consistent with earlier warnings but now takes binding effect. Washington justifies the measure as part of a broader crackdown on trade partners deemed to benefit disproportionately from U.S. import openness.

While the tariffs on Algeria remain unchanged, other countries witnessed varied adjustments. Libya and Iraq experienced minor reductions in their rates to 30% (down 1 and 9 percentage points, respectively), Moldova and Brunei will now face a 25% duty, and Philippine goods will be taxed at 20%, reflecting a 3-point increase. Some Southeast Asian nations were reportedly hit with duties as high as 40% earlier in the week, while Japan and Tunisia face intermediate rates of around 25%.

According to the correspondence, any attempt by these countries to retaliate or impose countermeasures will result in further punitive duties, exposing the aggressive tone adopted by the Trump administration in its ongoing global trade realignment.

A Blow to Algerian-U.S. Trade Relations

The announcement comes at a delicate time for Algeria-U.S. trade, which saw a sharp decline in 2024. According to official data, bilateral trade reached $3.5 billion, with U.S. exports to Algeria totaling $1 billion—a drop of 15.5% from the previous year—while U.S. imports of Algerian goods stood at $2.5 billion, falling by 18.7%.

Despite the downturn, the United States remains an important economic partner for Algeria. In 2023, it was Algeria’s fifth-largest client after Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey, and the second-largest importer of Algerian non-hydrocarbon goods, just behind France. That year, Algeria exported to the U.S. goods worth 411 billion dinars ($3.09 billion) and imported 190.5 billion dinars ($1.43 billion) in American products.

The National Office of Statistics  (ONS) noted that U.S. imports into Algeria primarily consist of soybeans, soft wheat, polymers, laboratory equipment, dried fruits, gas turbines, pharmaceuticals, and industrial fittings. On the other hand, Algeria’s exports to the U.S. span more than sixty products, dominated by crude and refined hydrocarbons, wrought iron bars, nitrogen fertilizers, and cement.

In addition, a wide array of agricultural and agro-industrial items—such as olive oil, avocados, tomatoes, jams, chocolates, aromatic waters, margarine, nuts, seaweed, malt extract, pasta, sauces, pepper, coffee, and seafood—are exported. Industrial exports include electric transformers, motors, telecommunication components, fans, computer parts, women’s garments, ball bearings, and tires.

Trade Offensive or Diplomatic Backfire?

This latest tariff wave has been widely perceived as part of an American strategy to pressure countries with trade surpluses into renegotiating commercial terms more favorable to Washington. However, analysts warn that such unilateral trade aggression may undermine long-standing partnerships and push countries like Algeria to diversify their alliances—particularly as the BRICS+ bloc gains traction as an alternative global trade network.

As the European Union remains in sensitive talks with the U.S. over similar measures, observers expect further diplomatic fallout if Washington extends the same tariff threat to its European allies.