Will Egypt Become America's Trade Gateway to Africa?

Egypt Become America's Trade Gateway to Africa

 

Will Egypt Become America's Trade Gateway to Africa?

As the world continues to reshape its trade map, Egypt and the United States stand at a pivotal point in their economic relations, driven by domestic American interests and the imperatives of Egyptian reform, and open to broader horizons of mutual cooperation.

At a time when Washington is seeking to reposition itself globally by imposing new customs tariffs on a number of countries, Cairo appears to be in an exceptional position to be a pivotal partner in the new trade equation. In this context, Dr. Mohamed Anis, a member of the Egyptian Society for Political Economy, shed light on the precise details related to the customs amendments, their direct impact on the Egyptian economy, and the potential opportunities they hold for expanding the partnership between Cairo and Washington.

Egypt at the Heart of the Equation: Figures Reveal a Renewed Dynamic

Egypt is the second-largest economy in Africa and the fourth-largest trading partner of the United States in the Middle East. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $9.8 billion, while 1,800 American companies invest nearly $47 billion in Egypt. Egyptian ready-made garment exports to the US market also reached approximately $1.2 billion during the same year.

These indicators are not just static numbers; they reflect the vitality of a market of more than 107 million people, complemented by a network of trade agreements that allow investors access to more than 1.5 billion consumers in Africa and the Middle East, making Egypt a pivotal gateway in international supply chains.

Rapid Reforms and Smart Responses: Background to the New Customs Landscape

In his speech, Dr. Mohamed Anis linked the recent Egyptian measures to the series of decisions announced by US President Donald Trump last April, on what he called "Economic Liberation Day," which saw tariffs imposed on a number of countries. Anis pointed out that the customs duties imposed on Egypt were relatively low (10%), but were coupled with what he described as "non-tax barriers," such as US technical requirements and specifications, particularly the requirement for "halal" certification for dairy imports, which was issued by only one company, restricting import activity and increasing costs.

These indicators are not just static numbers. They reflect the vitality of a market of more than 107 million people, complemented by a network of trade agreements that allow investors access to more than 1.5 billion consumers in Africa and the Middle East, making Egypt a pivotal gateway in international supply chains.

Rapid Reforms and Smart Responses: Background to the New Customs Landscape

In his speech, Dr. Mohamed Anis linked the recent Egyptian measures to the series of decisions announced by US President Donald Trump last April, on what he called "Economic Liberation Day," which saw the imposition of tariffs on a number of countries. Anis pointed out that the customs duties imposed on Egypt were relatively low (10%), but were coupled with what he described as "non-tax barriers," such as technical requirements and US specifications, particularly the requirement for "halal" certification for dairy imports, which was previously issued by only one company, restricting import activity and increasing costs.

Between Initiative and Openness... Egypt at the Crossroads of New Economic Growth

This is evident from Dr. Anis's analysis. Mohamed Anis believes that Egypt does not view the recent US measures as a threat, but rather as an opportunity to restructure its trade relations, open new horizons for the private sector, and improve its domestic competitive environment.

At a time of escalating global economic tensions, Cairo appears to be steadily moving toward playing a more effective role in the international economy, leveraging its ability to balance power and its flexibility in managing multilateral relationships.

 The opportunity exists, and the numbers support this trend, but the bet remains on Egypt's ability to capitalize on this pivotal moment and translate it into an economic boom that will reshape the development landscape for decades to come.