Ease of doing business
theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:
Powering Mutually Beneficial Global Trade.
Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.
Implications
As of January 2026, the trade landscape between the US and Tunisia is defined by a broad shift in US trade policy toward "Reciprocal Tariffs" and the removal of universal exemptions. While Tunisia is not a primary target of the most aggressive "secondary" tariffs (which focus on oil-trading partners of Russia), it is impacted by the general 10–20% baseline duties applied to most non-FTA (Free Trade Agreement) nations.
1. Latest US Tariffs Update (Tunisia Specific)
Tunisia currently faces the 10% baseline reciprocal tariff introduced in mid-2025.
De Minimis Removal: Since August 29, 2025, the $800 duty-free exemption (de minimis) has been suspended. Small-scale Tunisian exporters (artisans, small tech firms) now face duties on every shipment to the US.
Reciprocal Baseline: Tunisia's exports to the US are subject to the standard 10% rate, though there are active discussions about raising this to 15–20% later in 2026 if bilateral trade deficits do not narrow.
Section 232: Specific Tunisian industrial exports, particularly any involving aluminum or steel components, are subject to Section 232 national security tariffs.
2. Major Companies Impacted
The impact is felt most by firms integrated into European and American supply chains:
COFICAB (Automotive): As a major global provider of automotive cables, any increase in US tariffs on auto parts impacts their North American supply routes.
CHO Group (Olive Oil): Producers of brands like Terra Delyssa. While olive oil is a staple, the removal of de minimis and the 10% baseline increase landed costs for US retailers.
Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT): Exporters of phosphates and fertilizers. These are critical inputs, but rising duties make them less competitive against domestic US or Moroccan alternatives.
Textile Manufacturers: Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) producing apparel for US brands are seeing margins squeezed by the 10% duty, as they already operate on thin margins.
3. GDP & Economic Impact
Direct Impact: US-Tunisia trade is relatively small (~$2.0 billion), so the direct drag on GDP is estimated at a modest -0.1% to -0.2%.
Indirect Impact: The bigger threat is the "Secondary Effect." Since 75% of Tunisia's exports go to the EU, the slowdown in the EU economy (caused by US-EU trade tensions) indirectly reduces demand for Tunisian components.
Projected 2026 Growth: Tunisia's GDP is forecast to grow by 2.1% in 2026, a slight downgrade from previous estimates due to higher trade costs and global inflationary pressures.
4. Latest Country Balance of Trade (BOT) YTD
Data based on December 2025/January 2026 reporting.
Metric | Value (Estimated YTD/Annualized) | Trend |
Total Exports | ~2.0 Billion USD | 🟢 Up 3.1% YoY |
Total Imports | ~2.5 Billion USD | 🔴 Up 3.1% YoY |
Trade Balance | -$500 Million (Deficit) | ⚠️ Widening |
US-Tunisia Deficit | ~$620 Million (Full Year 2025) | 📈 Increasing |
[!NOTE]Tunisia remains a net exporter of textiles and olive oil but a heavy importer of energy and machinery, which keeps the overall BOT in a structural deficit.
5. SWOT Analysis: Tunisia Trade 2026
Strengths | Weaknesses |
• Strategic proximity to Europe and Africa. • Strong phosphate and olive oil production. • Skilled, low-cost labor force in tech and auto-parts. | • High dependence on EU markets (75% of exports). • Vulnerability to global energy price shocks. • Structural trade deficit and high public debt. |
Opportunities | Threats |
• Diversification into African markets (AfCFTA). • Potential for "Near-shoring" for US firms leaving Asia. • Growth in green hydrogen and renewable energy. | • Rising US protectionism and reciprocal tariffs. • Regional political instability affecting investor confidence. • Competition from other MENA nations (e.g., Morocco, Egypt). |
US Revised Tariffs
Country Tariffs
Balance of Trade
Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Tariff Rate for US
World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.
US Imports Guide
United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.
Investing in USA
theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters
Sources : Forbes | USDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia | International Trade Administration
theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.
Economic
Relevance
Ranking
State | Info | Overall Rank | Agri | Innov | Mfg | Employ | Tax | Edu | GDP | F500 Rep | Trade Balance | Cost of Living | Disp Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 | |
North Carolina | 2 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 17 | 17 | |
Virginia | 3 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 3 | |
Florida | 4 | 21 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 7 | 40 | 30 | 37 | |
Washington | 5 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 28 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 43 | 1 | |
Missouri | 6 | 11 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 20 | |
Georgia | 7 | 15 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 26 | 19 | |
Minnesota | 8 | 6 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 9 | |
Ohio | 9 | 12 | 32 | 7 | 30 | 35 | 36 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 15 | 11 | |
Illinois | 10 | 5 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 37 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 32 | 7 |