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Tunisia

August 7, 2025

Tunis 8:16 am

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Meloni Saied

Italy’s Meloni discusses immigration, economic ties on Tunisia visit: What to know

The two countries have strengthened their ties in the past years, signing several agreements on economic, trade and energy cooperation.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House followed by granddaughter Chloe after returning on Marine One on July 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump returned to the White House with his family after a trip to Scotland that was part vacation, part work, as he stayed at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, from July 25 to 29. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Middle East braces for Trump's tariffs: Gulf gains, North Africa strains as both hedge

The tariffs could be wins for the Gulf states, as many have trade surpluses with the United States, while some in North Africa and the Levant, with trade deficits, stand to lose.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Trump tariffs, BRICS threats unlikely to erode Middle East’s trade war edge

The US decision to delay tariff penalties until Aug. 1 doesn't dramatically impact the Middle East, but the coming weeks could still have important ripple effects in the region.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington.

From Iraq to Algeria, Trump’s looming tariffs could target 4 MENA countries

The United States has a trade deficit with Iraq, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, according to the US government, prompting the president to send them letters warning of new tariffs.

Latest News

Iran sends senior delegation to Algeria, Tunisia as relations warm

Algerian People's National Council

Analysis

As Saied begins new term as president, Tunisians brace for unstable governance

Tunisia's president, Kais Saied, attends his swearing-in ceremony before the National Assembly in Tunis on Oct. 21, 2024.

Francisco Serrano

By Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Analysis

Tunisia risks missing e-commerce boom as Jumia exits, startup investment lags

Inside a warehouse used by Jumia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur drops out of 2024 tennis circuit

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Migrant men wait to board a ship bound for Sicily from Lampedusa, Italy, April 22, 2015.

European Commission to send Tunisia $135M in aid to stem illegal migrants

The European Union and Tunisia had in July announced a ‘strategic partnership’ to boost Tunisia's economy and combat the spike in small boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

King of Jordan

Highlights: Al-Monitor/Semafor Middle East Global Summit

The Al-Monitor & Semafor inaugural Middle East Global Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings on Wednesday brought together the region’s leaders, newsmakers and business heads.

Putin Tebboune

Analysis

Russia pushes North African trade area as Ukraine sanctions bite

Russia's influence across North Africa is varied, but regional countries could benefit from discounted Russian hydrocarbons, grain and fertilizer.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

An employee works at a bakery selling baguettes in Tunis on August 7, 2023. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Head of Tunisia’s bakery owners union arrested amid bread crisis

President Kais Saied is targeting those he accuses of monopolizing flour amid an ongoing bread shortage.

An injured migrant who fled violence in Sfax to the militarised buffer zone between Tunisia and Libya rests.

Tunisia, Libya strike deal on stranded sub-Saharan African migrants

Anti-migrant sentiment in Tunisia has led to a crisis on the border with Libya, adding to Tunisia’s political and economic woes.

Kais Saied Hashani

Tunisia’s president appoints new prime minister amid deepening crisis

The country is facing growing economic woes amid pressure to approve an IMF rescue program.

Tunisian employees of travel agencies and the tourism sector demonstrate in front of the Tourism Ministry on October 20, 2020 in Tunis to call for state subsidies in consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. - Tunisia, which was already battling high unemployment before the start of the pandemic, has seen a record shrinking of its economy. The key tourist industry has all but collapsed, with tourism income plunging 60 percent and swathes of hotels likely to close permanently, officials said last month. (

Tunisia gains economic breathing room with boost from Saudi Arabia, but budget problems linger 

A $500 million boost from Saudi Arabia is providing short-term relief to Tunisia’s government as it struggles to meet debt obligations and cover the state budget.

Stephen Quillen

Stephen Quillen

MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images

Tunisian wins gold at world swimming championships

Tunisia has a history of success in swimming, and athletes from the North African country have also performed well in tennis and soccer recently.

Ursula von der Leyen

EU commission sees Tunisia's migration deal as 'blueprint' for region

On July 16, the bloc agreed to spend 100 million euros on Tunisia to combat human trafficking and illegal crossings of the Mediterranean Sea.

Tunisian demonstrators raise national flags and protest placards as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis, on January 14, 2023, to protest against their president. - In July 2021, President Kais Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and seized far-reaching executive powers, later grabbing control of the judiciary -- moves opponents said aimed to install a new dictatorship in the birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia to give Tunisia $500 million amid economic crisis

Tunisia is seeking help from the kingdom as well as the EU and the IMF as it battles debt and inflation.

Mark Rutte, Kais Saied, Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni

EU, Tunisia ink 'strategic partnership' to help economy, stem migrants

It comes after weeks of talks between the two parties about the EU providing around 1 billion euros in aid, which would be dependent on Tunisia's IMF bailout.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stretches to make a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Semi Finals on day eleven of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: July 15, 2023, 12:44 pm

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur falls short at Wimbledon final, loses to Vondrousova

Jabeur, who has a massive following across North Africa and the Middle East, is still seeking her first Grand Slam win after falling short at Wimebledon for the second year in a row.