Morocco’s main business federation says a new U.S. tariff linked to forced-labor concerns is unlikely, at this stage, to undermine Moroccan companies’ ambitions in the U.S. market.
The General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, or CGEM, said preliminary data do not indicate that the measure will have a significant impact on Moroccan exports, according to Ali El Harthi, chairman of the federation’s Foreign Trade Development Committee.
“At this stage, preliminary data do not indicate that this measure, the imposition of a 12.5% tariff on Moroccan exports, will affect the ambitions of Moroccan companies in the U.S. market,” El Harthi told Hespress AR.
He said CGEM remains fully committed to supporting Moroccan companies in expanding their activities and strengthening their presence in the strategically important U.S. market.
The federation will work with sector-specific business associations to conduct an objective assessment of the measure’s actual impact on Moroccan exports, as well as any opportunities it could create, El Harthi said.
Based on that assessment, CGEM will share its findings and recommendations with relevant Moroccan authorities to support ongoing discussions with U.S. partners, he said.
The new tariffs affecting about 60 major economies, including Morocco, formally took effect July 24, 2026, at the start of the day in the U.S. Eastern time zone, following the expiration of temporary 10% global tariffs.
El Harthi said CGEM is closely monitoring recent announcements by U.S. authorities, particularly the decision to impose a 12.5% tariff on certain imports from Morocco.
He stressed, however, that the measure applies to about 60 countries and is not specifically targeting Morocco.
U.S. remains strategic market
The United States is a “strategic destination” for Moroccan exports and a priority market for Moroccan companies seeking to expand internationally, El Harthi said.
CGEM has established a dedicated Americas Committee to strengthen economic relations with the region and develop a strategic approach, in coordination with relevant professional federations, to help Moroccan companies enter and expand in those markets.
The committee is also expected to help companies navigate developments affecting trade with the United States and other markets across the Americas.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, or USTR, previously included Morocco among a list of 60 economies, including China and the European Union, that Washington said had failed to effectively prohibit or restrict imports produced through forced labor.
The Trump administration’s latest measure is based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which addresses unfair trade practices. Washington has accused the 60 trading partners of failing to enforce bans on forced-labor products.
Although the measure covers most Moroccan products, it includes exemptions for certain categories, including goods already subject to Section 232 tariffs and other sectors designated by USTR.
As a result, the additional tariff will not necessarily apply to all Moroccan exports to the United States.
Morocco-U.S. trade
U.S. imports from Morocco totaled about $1.9 billion in 2025, while U.S. exports to Morocco reached approximately $5.5 billion, according to U.S. estimates.
The figures underscore the importance of the American market for Moroccan exporters and the broader trade relationship between the two countries.
For CGEM, the immediate priority is therefore to determine which Moroccan sectors and products could be affected by the new measure before assessing its longer-term consequences.
El Harthi said the federation would continue monitoring developments and coordinating with Moroccan authorities and sector representatives as the new tariff regime takes effect.
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