The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the imposition of new 30% tariffs on goods imported from Libya. This move is part of the second wave of trade policy decisions targeting several nations. This latest tranche also includes Iraq (30%), Algeria (30%), Sri Lanka (30%), Moldova (25%), Brunei (25%), and the Philippines (20%).
These recent US tariffs represent a continuation of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” agenda, initially launched on 3 April, before being suspended for 90 days on 9 April to allow for negotiations with certain countries, including Libya. The tariffs officially came into effect on Wednesday, with their practical application set to begin on 1 August
US Tariffs on Libyan Goods
White House data released by the US administration indicates that the United States has imposed a 30% tariff on goods imported from Libya. This is presented against an estimated 61% Libyan tariff on trade with Washington
Understanding Libyan Tariffs on US Imports
While US data from April suggested Libya imposes tariffs of up to 61% on US imports, this figure does not accurately reflect actual customs rates. The US administration’s calculation relies on a formula that divides the trade surplus in favour of the country in question by its total exports to the United States, based on 2024 US Census Bureau data. The resulting figure is then divided by two to derive what the administration terms the “reduced rate” for tariffs
How Tariffs on Libya Were Calculated
US data reveals that trade between Libya and the United States in 2024 totalled approximately $2 billion, with a trade surplus of $898.3 million in Libya’s favour. According to a specific analysis by Al-Manasa, America’s trade deficit with Libya accounts for 55.1%. This implicitly suggests that Tripoli’s previous average tariff on goods imported from Washington was about 5.9%, leading to the reported 61% total in the US administration’s data. Dividing this figure by two yields a 30.5% rate, which was then increased by 0.5% in April to 31%, before being subsequently lowered by the same amount back to 30%
What America Imports from Libya
According to United Nations trade data, the value of Libya’s exports to the United States last year reached approximately $1.49 billion. The majority of these exports consist of crude oil, which is exempt from the tariffs imposed by the United States on other goods
What America Exports to Libya
US exports to Libya primarily comprise vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, various machinery, as well as pharmaceutical products and medical technologies.
