Maghreb Edition

The Maghreb’s Response to U.S. Tariffs and Rising Chinese InfluenceF

Posted On 21 April 2025

Number of times this article was read : 3091

U.S. tariffs have not yet affected consumer spending in the Maghreb, but as the tariffs are sending shockwaves through global trade—North Africa is not insulated. With Washington ramping up protectionist measures, the Maghreb is also exposed. Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia face rising import costs and supply chain instability. For a region still developing its manufacturing base, these shifts threaten to derail industrial policy and squeeze consumers.

But this also offers an opening for China, which has been deepening its economic presence across the Maghreb, offering infrastructure, financing, and trade partnerships, prompting the region to rethink its traditional economic alignments.

This analysis by Arezki Daoud explores how global tariff policies may be reshaping trade patterns in the region, pressuring local economies, and pushing North African countries toward a new—and potentially irreversible—strategic reorientation.

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The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.