The United States threatened Moroccan products with 12.5 %: they ultimately did it
What was still only a threat has become an effective tax. Washington has definitively imposed a 12.5 % surcharge on the majority of Moroccan products entering the United States, as part of its offensive against forced labor in global supply chains.
The decision appears in the final text published by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Regarding Morocco, Washington explicitly writes that it has decided “to impose duties of 12.5 % on products from Morocco,” with the exception of a list of exempt goods.
On Bladi.net : United States: The Hammer Blow Threatening Moroccan Products
The measure came into force on July 24 at 12:01 a.m., Washington time. A transitional exception was provided for goods already loaded and in transit before that deadline, provided that they were cleared through customs before July 28.
The threat became reality
In June, the USTR had only proposed this surcharge as part of investigations opened against 60 trading partners. After more than 1,600 written submissions and three days of hearings in July, Donald Trump instructed officials to take action.
Morocco finds itself in the group sanctioned at the rate of 12.5 %, compared with 10 % for countries that have adopted or promised to adopt certain measures against the importation of products resulting from forced labor. The USTR specifies that these new duties concern most imports from the countries concerned, with exemptions notably for certain products essential to the American economy, goods already subject to Section 232 duties, donations, and accompanied baggage.
Washington is not accusing Moroccan companies of using forced labor. The complaint directed at Morocco concerns the absence, according to the American administration, of a sufficiently effective prohibition preventing goods produced through forced labor from entering its market.
On Bladi.net : article 121759
For the Moroccan exporters concerned, the change is therefore concrete: the 12.5 % surcharge is no longer a scenario being considered by Washington. It has been applied since July 24.