Bahrain faces ‘minimal' impact from US tariffs
TDT | Manama
Bahrain's exports to the United States will face a 10 per cent tariff under new trade measures announced in Washington.
The rate is among the lowest imposed and stands in sharp contrast to the steeper charges now applied to goods from China, the European Union, Japan and India.
The US move is aimed at boosting domestic output and reducing its dependence on imports.
While the changes apply across the board, the effects will not be felt equally. Bahrain's position, in this case, is less exposed.
The kingdom's economy is more spread out than that of some of its neighbours.
Export base
Its export base is varied, and it maintains long-running trade ties with partners across Europe, Asia and North America.
Crucially, a free trade agreement with the US remains in force. Signed in 2004 and enforced in 2006, it exempts most products from customs duties. Aluminium, one of Bahrain's top exports, is unlikely to be heavily affected.
Less than a fifth of Alba's production heads to the US market, which limits the impact on supply chains.
The new tariffs add cost, but the exposure remains limited.
Domestic demand
At the same time, American industry is struggling to keep up with domestic demand.
US factories are producing well below what the market requires, with the shortfall in some sectors exceeding tenfold. That shortfall leaves importers with few options, regardless of added costs.
Bahrain has not responded with any tariffs of its own. Goods from the US continue to enter the Bahraini market without extra charges.
Investor interest
That approach has helped preserve investor interest, particularly from American firms looking to expand into the Gulf. Development continues on the US Trade Zone in Salman Industrial City. Once operational, it is expected to serve as a base for companies supplying the region.
The site is located near the main seaport, airport and the King Fahd Causeway, putting it in a strong position to support regional trade flows. Trade between Bahrain and the US stood at $2.3 billion in 2024, according to data from the US Census Bureau.
Bahraini exports made up $1.2 billion of that total. Aluminium remains the chief item.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
17 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Joins Global Education Leaders
TDT | Manama Applied Science University (ASU) has placed Bahrain firmly on the global academic map by participating in the 2025 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, the world's largest international education event held this year in San Diego, California. Represented by Dr Mohammed Yousif, Vice President for Administration, Finance, and Community Engagement, ASU was among more than 400 institutions and academic service providers from over 100 countries. The gathering brought together more than 10,000 education leaders and professionals, reinforcing its reputation as a premier platform for cross-border academic dialogue and partnership. ASU's presence at the global event aligns with its recent inclusion in the QS World University Rankings, a milestone shared by only four Bahraini universities. This achievement reflects growing international recognition of Bahrain's academic institutions and supports the Kingdom's broader ambition to become a regional leader in higher education.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Dubai Metro Blue Line To Have World's Highest Metro Station
The Dubai Metro will soon be home to the world's highest metro station. While laying the foundation stone of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also approved the distinctive architectural design of the iconic Emaar Properties Station, the highest metro station in the world, standing at 74 metres. Inspired by the concept of a crossing gateway, the station was designed by the renowned American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), one of the world's leading design studios. The firm's portfolio includes iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the Olympic Tower in New York, and the Sears Tower in Chicago. The station is designed to integrate harmoniously into the existing urban environment and embodies the vision of 'Dubai: A Gateway to the Future'. Covering an area of approximately 11,000 square metres, the station is designed to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day, with the number of daily users expected to exceed 70,000 by 2040. With the completion of the Blue Line project, Dubai's rail network will expand to a total of 131 km, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains. The Dubai Metro has transported over 2.527 billion passengers from its launch on 9/9/2009 through the end of 2024. The Metro recorded a daily average of 900,000 passengers in 2024. Ridership has grown steadily over the years, from 38.887 million in 2010 to 69 million in 2011, reflecting a growth rate of 77 per cent. It continued to rise to over 109 million passengers in 2012, before surpassing 200 million in 2017, jumping to 260 million in 2023 and hitting 275.4 million in 2024. According to studies, the number of Dubai Metro passengers is expected to exceed 300 million in 2026 and reach 320 million by 2031. His Highness was also briefed on the expansion of metro stations. The service began in 2009 with 10 stations, reaching 26 stations in 2010 and growing to 46 stations in 2011. By 2014, the Dubai tram started operations, and the number of metro and tram stations soared to 56. In 2021, the launch of the metro's Route 2020 added seven more stations, raising the total to 64. The upcoming Blue Line will add 14 new stations to the network, which will bring the total number to 78. His Highness was also briefed on the growth in the number of trains, which rose from 16 at the Metro's launch in 2009 to 44 in 2010. The figure reached 79 trains by 2011 and increased to 90 with the inauguration of the Dubai Tram in 2014, further expanding to 140 by 2021. With the Blue Line coming into operation, the total number of trains will increase to 168, comprising 157 metro trains and 11 tram trains. The interior design of the station is curated to create a sense of luxury. Towering walls rise elegantly, finished in natural textures and warm, earthy tones that strengthen the connection to the land, reflect the spirit of place, and embody the community's resilience and cohesion. The overall architectural language creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all visitors. The material palette features premium, durable finishes such as Jura limestone and bronze metal wall panels at the platform level, complemented by robust granite flooring. At both the lobby and platform levels, glass ceiling panels allow natural light to permeate the space, enhancing the feeling of openness and elevating the overall passenger experience. The combination of natural stone and polished metal creates a balance between elegance and sophistication, giving the station a distinctive character that unites tradition with modernity. The station's construction materials were meticulously chosen to reflect a blend of heritage and modernity, incorporating stone, glass, and bronze, forming a symbol of Dubai's continuous pursuit of progress. Its dynamic form and architectural scale create a distinctive visual presence. Sustainability, longevity, and resilience to operational and climatic conditions were central to the selection process, supporting the station's ambition to meet the highest standards of environmental efficiency. During the ceremony, it was announced that Emaar had secured the naming rights for the iconic Emaar Properties Station for 10 years, starting from its official inauguration in 2029. The next phase will include announcements regarding naming rights for other stations along the Blue Line.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Builds Crypto Hub
TDT | Manama As Bitcoin rebounds globally, Bahrain is quietly building its own digital gold rush. Supported by progressive regulation and hightech infrastructure, the Kingdom is emerging as a serious contender in the global cryptocurrency mining market, and one Bahraini firm says it is only the beginning. Rising global role Crypto Miners, a company specialising in the sale, installation, and maintenance of mining equipment, says the sector's growing momentum within Bahrain is helping reinforce the Kingdom's position as a competitive regional hub with global potential. The company believes this development is also drawing more foreign direct investment into Bahrain's digital economy. 'Bahrain's financial ecosystem and regulatory clarity give us the ability to grow sustainably and export our services abroad,' said Wassim Saaduddin, Technical Sales Manager at Crypto Miners. He added that the Kingdom is uniquely placed to serve as a launchpad for international crypto operations, thanks to its policy stability and infrastructure. Infrastructure and awareness At the core of Crypto Miners' strategy is a vision to localise this high-tech industry, building critical infrastructure , training Bahraini talent , and supporting knowledge transfer. The company also sees awareness as essential to sustainable sector growth, and says it actively runs public engagement campaigns to help familiarise Bahrainis with digital currencies and blockchain. 'As part of our corporate social responsibility, we're committed to raising awareness about digital assets and creating safe, reliable investment pathways,' Saaduddin noted. Aligned with national vision Crypto Miners says its longterm efforts are in full alignment with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, which prioritises innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. The company believes that positioning Bahrain as a regional and global leader in crypto mining is not only realistic, but already in progress. With firms like Crypto Miners anchoring the sector, Bahrain appears to be gaining traction in a space once dominated by much larger economies.
