Trump Announces 50% Tariff on Egyptian Imports, Citing "Unfair Trade Practices" and National Security Concerns

April 4, 2025 | Washington D.C.

In a dramatic escalation of his “America First” trade agenda, former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he would impose a sweeping 50% tariff on all goods imported from Egypt, if re-elected in 2024. The surprise announcement, made during a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has already sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and rattled markets sensitive to Middle Eastern trade.

“We’re being taken advantage of by Egypt, big time,” Trump said to a roaring crowd. “They flood our markets with cheap cotton, textiles, and fake papyrus scrolls, and we get nothing in return — absolutely nothing. It’s a one-sided deal, and we’re ending it.”

Trump Cites Trade Imbalance and National Security

Trump justified the move by citing a growing trade imbalance between the U.S. and Egypt, claiming that American industries were being “undermined by low-cost Egyptian manufacturing.” While the U.S. imported just over $1.3 billion in goods from Egypt in 2023, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Trump described the relationship as “massively lopsided.”

He also referenced national security, alleging — without evidence — that some Egyptian exports may be “tied to terrorist funding.” No U.S. intelligence agency has substantiated this claim.

“Do you know what they’re doing with the money we give them?” Trump asked. “We don’t know. Nobody knows. But I’ll tell you what — it's not going to fixing their roads. That I can tell you.”

Egyptian Response: “An Unprovoked Economic Attack”

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement Friday morning, calling the proposed tariff “an unprovoked economic attack on a historic ally.”

“Egypt and the United States have shared decades of cooperation on regional security, trade, and cultural exchange,” the statement read. “This move threatens to destabilize an already fragile region and undermines trust.”

Sources within the Egyptian government have hinted that retaliatory measures could include restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports and increased tariffs on American technology products, which Egypt imports in growing quantities.

Economists Warn of Ripple Effects

Trade experts and economists have expressed alarm at the proposed tariff, warning it could lead to higher prices for everyday goods, especially in the textile and clothing sectors.

“A 50% tariff is extreme by any historical standard,” said Dr. Lara Montrose, a trade analyst at the Brookings Institution. “Egypt is not a major economic threat to the U.S., and these kinds of policies, if implemented, could backfire dramatically — hurting American retailers and consumers.”

Montrose also pointed out that most Egyptian imports complement, rather than compete with, U.S. manufacturing. “This looks more like a political move than an economic one,” she added.

A Political Ploy?

Many political analysts see the announcement as a strategic effort to appeal to Trump’s base in Rust Belt states, where concerns about job outsourcing and foreign trade remain potent.

“This is classic Trump,” said Mark Reynolds, a GOP strategist. “It’s red meat for the base — simple messaging, big impact. Whether or not it actually makes policy sense is a different matter.”

Democrats, meanwhile, were quick to criticize the proposal.

“Donald Trump is playing economic roulette with our foreign allies,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). “This kind of recklessness is exactly why we voted him out.”

What Comes Next?

While Trump holds no executive authority to impose tariffs as a private citizen, his statement suggests that aggressive trade measures could be a cornerstone of his 2024 platform. The former president has already floated similar ideas with China and Mexico in recent weeks, as his campaign gears up for what is expected to be a combative election cycle.

For now, the 50% tariff on Egyptian imports remains hypothetical. But with Trump’s influence still strong within the GOP and his unpredictability on full display, international partners are watching closely — and preparing for what might come next.