ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL3.SEP/2025/Policy brief.1
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Policy briefs
Cluster: Shared Economic Prosperity
Focus Area: Trade & regional connectivity
SDGs: Agenda 2030, Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Keywords: Arab countries, Exports, Foreign trade, Imports, Macroeconomics, Recommendations, Tariffs, Trade restrictions, Trade statistics, United states
United States tariff shockwaves: impact on the Arab region
April 2025
This policy brief examines recent United States tariff shockwaves and the 90-day tariff pause, highlighting both direct impacts – particularly on Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia – and indirect spillovers through weaker demand from China and the European Union, and falling oil prices. Preliminary estimates for 2025 suggest moderate macroeconomic effects for the Agadir Agreement countries and limited impacts for the Gulf Cooperation Council economies. The brief underscores rising fiscal vulnerabilities and calls upon Arab States to strengthen regional integration, diversify trade and engage with the United States to enhance economic resilience.
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Trade & regional connectivity
This policy brief examines recent United States tariff shockwaves and the 90-day tariff pause, highlighting both direct impacts – particularly on Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia – and indirect spillovers through weaker demand from China and the European Union, and falling oil prices. Preliminary estimates for 2025 suggest moderate macroeconomic effects for the Agadir Agreement countries and limited impacts for the Gulf Cooperation Council economies. The brief underscores rising fiscal vulnerabilities and calls upon Arab States to strengthen regional integration, diversify trade and engage with the United States to enhance economic resilience.
