Tunisia import restrictions to hinder trade with EU
European and Tunisian economic observers are concerned over new technical measures for clearing imports into Tunisia that could limit imports that support Tunisia’s industries and trade.
A letter allegedly sent by Leon Delvaux, the acting director of the European Union, to the Tunisian Minister for Trade and Industry was leaked by the Tunisian news site Tunisie Numerique. It expressed deep concerns over complicated new import regulations that the European Commission for Trade says could restrict imports from the EU.
Al-Monitor contacted the European Commission for Trade, whose spokesperson replied, “We do not comment on leaks. We can only confirm that we have some concerns in relation to certain measures adopted by Tunisia that could potentially restrict EU imports. We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities with the aim of removing such restrictions.”
Tunisia’s economic crisis is deepening and its trade balance is going deeper into the red from $427.88million in August 2021 to $665.38 in April 2022. Although growth of 2.8% was reported in the second quarter of 2022 after a prolonged stagnation, according to Data Science company Insights TN, the real figure is -3.5% since 2019.
The EU supplies 48.3% of Tunisia’s imports, valued at €8.8 billion in 2020. According to EU data, the majority of these imports are machinery and materials to be used in industry, such as sewing machines, yarn and fabrics for the textile industry to be made into products for export. Consumables such as domestic appliances, for example, make up a smaller portion of products imported from EU companies.
