Al-Sudani issues four directives to protect the Iraqi economy.
Al-Sudani issues four directives to protect the Iraqi economy.
04/06/2025
As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the economy and protect it from the repercussions of global economic measures, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani issued four directives during a meeting he chaired Saturday evening. The directives aim to address the economic impact of increased US tariffs on imported goods and work to improve trade relations between Iraq and the United States in a manner consistent with the interests of both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, digital data from the Ministry of Trade was presented, revealing that the increase in US customs tariffs on Iraqi goods is due to the difference in the trade balance between the two countries, and not to the customs duties imposed by Iraq on US goods. The ministry revealed that the majority of Iraq’s imports of US goods are made through markets in other countries, as a result of the policies of US companies.
In light of this information, Al-Sudani directed the development of mutual trade relations with the United States by opening outlets for American distributors and commercial agencies and activating Iraqi commercial agencies. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening banking cooperation between Iraq and the United States to achieve common economic interests.
In addition, Al-Sudani directed the negotiating team with the US side to review the foundations of the trade relationship between the two countries with the aim of improving them, working to build balanced economic relations, and developing a positive partnership between the two parties. He recommended activating dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Trade with the US side to strengthen trade relations and monitor financial markets.
For his part, the Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed that “US customs duties do not include oil and gas,” meaning that Iraq will be immune from these policies. He noted that Iraq’s non-oil exports, which may be subject to customs duties, are very limited and will not have a significant impact on the Iraqi economy.
In this context, Saleh warned of the possibility of US protectionist measures extending to Iraq’s financial aspects, which could increase the cost of international trade. Meanwhile, MP Dhiaa Hindi al-Hasnawi, a member of the Parliamentary Investment Committee, called for the need to “diversify exports, reduce reliance on foreign markets, and strengthen trade relations with new economic partners.”
alsabaah.iq
