Morocco Imposes Trade Restrictions on Tunisia and Egypt to Protect Local Industries

These measures aim not only to rebalance the trade balance with Egypt and Tunisia, but also and above all to protect local production against the import of certain products in key sectors, indicate the Moroccan authorities, stressing that the purpose is to ensure the sustainability of national industrial units and preserve threatened jobs.

To read: Morocco Tightens Import Controls on Industrial Products, Including Auto Parts and Electronics

The list of excluded Egyptian imports from tariff dismantling concerns in particular six categories of products, namely powder and explosives, flammable materials except matches and lighters, tires, second-hand clothing, reinforcing steel and cars. A sensitive category has been added to this list, namely textiles and clothing.

To read: Morocco’s Trade Slumps: Imports Down 15.9%, Exports Fall 8.4% in November

Regarding Tunisia, the negative list covers the same categories of products except for textiles, carpets and various maintenance items such as mops, rags and chamois. An additional list of Tunisian products subject to a single tax of 17.5% is also established. The categories of agri-food products, building materials, toys and pens, office furniture, chocolate drinks, ground coffee, cosmetic products, make-up products and many others are concerned.