Discover the Arab Countries Economically Affected by U.S. Customs Measures

Arab exports to the United States declined significantly after being impacted by the tariff measures imposed by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the value of Arab exports to the U.S. dropped from $91 billion in 2013 to $48 billion in 2024, while the U.S. market share of Arab exports shrank from 6% to 3.5%.

Several Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain, suffered varying losses. The UAE recorded an estimated $10 billion loss due to its reliance on re-exports. Bahrain’s aluminum and chemical exports were notably affected, while Jordan experienced a decline in about a quarter of its total exports, which are tied to the U.S. market. Other countries, such as Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia, also felt the negative impact, especially amid reduced U.S. demand for crude oil and petroleum products.

This shift in trade relations led to broader economic repercussions, including a decline in oil and raw material prices. Middle-income Arab countries are expected to face total financial losses of up to $114 billion by 2025. These losses may affect development programs and social agreements, despite the doubling of non-oil exports over the same period.