Egypt rejects Trump’s tariffs, slamming it as violation of international law

Egypt has strongly rejected the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, including Egypt. Experts consulted by Al-Masry Al-Youm described the move as a violation of international norms and laws.

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Using this issue to impose collective tariffs on countries without direct evidence that their exports rely on forced labor raises questions about using human rights issues as a new tool for trade protectionism.

Mohamed Mamdouh, a member of the National Council for Human Rights and Secretary of the Economic Rights Committee, emphasized the need for swift Egyptian action. He stated that this action should balance protecting the national economy with promoting human rights and decent work. Mamdouh questioned the U.S. administration's use of combating forced labor and human trafficking as a justification for collective tariffs on countries lacking direct evidence of such practices in their exports. He suggested this approach raises concerns about human rights issues being exploited as a tool for trade protectionism.

Magdy al-Badawy, Vice President of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, echoed these concerns, calling Trump's tariffs "unjustified" and a source of new challenges. He dismissed the U.S. administration's rationale of combating "forced labor" as deceptive.

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Trump’s unjustified tariffs pose new challenges. Their justification by the US administration as a way to combat “forced labor” is a deception.

Professor of economics at Ain Shams University, Yumn al-Hamaqi, characterized Trump's recent decisions as part of a pattern that contravenes international law. However, she noted that the direct economic impact of these tariffs on Egypt is likely to be limited, given the relatively small volume of trade between Egypt and the American market.

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Trump’s recent decisions are part of a pattern of actions that violate international law.