United States: Mauritius Confronted with a 40% Import Tax

Mauritius is now facing a significant challenge as it becomes one of the primary countries affected by the new trade tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump as part of his “Liberation Day” initiative, which took effect on 2 April. In a recent announcement made on the platform X (formerly Twitter), the White House revealed that imports from Mauritius will be subjected to an eye-watering 40% tariff, far surpassing the standard 10% rate applied to goods from other countries.

The US government justifies this policy as a means of restoring fairness in international trade. Additional tariffs have been imposed on certain nations, adjusted according to the tariffs those countries apply to American goods.

However, the exact rationale behind the execution of a 40% tariff on Mauritius has not been disclosed.

Analysts suggested that elements such as the bilateral trade deficit or practices deemed unfair could have played a role in this decision.

This heavy-handed measure does not only affect Mauritius; it also impacts other regions in the Indian Ocean. Réunion, a French territory, is facing a 37% tariff, as outlined in a separate announcement.

As Mauritius grapples with this unexpected development, the nation is simultaneously preparing to advocate for an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a vital programme that provides trade benefits to African countries.

The economic future of Mauritius hangs in a precarious balance, caught in the swirling currents of international trade disputes.

Source: l’Express