Trump notifies Tunisia of new tariffs via punitive trade letters

African Manager

09-07-2025

Tunisia has received official notice from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding new tariffs through what are being described as punitive 'trade letters.'
Tunisia is one of more than a dozen countries targeted as part of Trump's strategy to pressure U.S. trade partners into negotiating new deals.
In letters published on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, he announced steeper tariffs than those initially delayed in April, according to The National.
The White House also stated that the deadline for implementing harsher tariffs has now been extended to August 1.
Tunisia, along with Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, has been hit with a 25% tariff.
Other countries face even higher rates: 30% for Bosnia and South Africa, 32% for Indonesia, 35% for Bangladesh and Serbia, 36% for Cambodia and Thailand, and 40% for Myanmar.
Each letter reportedly used nearly identical language, warning the recipient nations against retaliatory measures. In his letter to President Kais Saied, Trump warned:
'If, for any reason, you decide to increase your tariffs, the amount you choose will be added to the 25% we are applying.'
Gradual Implementation
According to reliable sources in Washington cited by Mosaïque FM, Trump's tariff decision on Tunisian exports to the U.S. will be applied gradually, in hopes of paving the way for negotiations.
Tunisia was among the first countries to be informed of the new policy. Initially, a **10% tariff will be imposed on Tunisian goods starting Tuesday, July 8, 2025 and will remain in effect until July 31, 2025.
This 10% rate is seen as a first step toward bilateral negotiations to determine a final tariff rate. If talks fail during this period, the full 25% tariff will take effect on August 1, 2025.
Notably, Trump had previously announced a 28% tariff in early April, set to begin on July 9. However, he has opted to start at 10% to allow space for negotiation. The letter to President Saied confirmed this strategy, with the threat of raising the tariff if no deal is reached.
'It Could Have Been 55%,' says U.S.-Tunisia Chamber head
Marwan Ben Jomaa, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia, stated on Tuesday, July 8, that the same Trump letter received by Tunisia was also sent to 12 other countries, including Japan and South Korea.
He called the reduced 10% rate a 'positive point,' especially since Tunisia was initially facing a 28% tariff, and possibly even up to 55%.
Ben Jomaa noted that Tunisia now has until August 1 to finalize a deal. He expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations, saying they aim for a 10% agreement, as several other countries have already secured.
He also emphasized that Tunisia could double its olive oil exports to the U.S. and that broader trade efforts with other markets are needed. According to him, Tunisia has had a trade surplus with the U.S. in recent years, partly due to high olive oil prices.
Ben Jomaa concluded by stressing the hope for a win-win agreement, noting that while talks have been difficult, constructive dialogue is ongoing, with potential favorable decisions for Tunisia and its exporters.