The United States has imposed a 10% tariff on all imports, including goods from the Maldives, under President Donald Trump’s latest trade policy. The tariff, effective from Saturday, 5 April 2025, applies to most countries, including the Maldives, with steeper rates for nations labelled as “worst offenders” set to take effect on Wednesday, 9 April.
The move is part of a wider US strategy to raise import tariffs across the board, with harsher penalties for specific countries. While major economies such as China face tougher measures, Maldivian exports to the US will now be subject to the same 10% charge. The Maldives has long maintained a 10% tariff on US goods, a measure that has been in place for years as part of its trade framework, meaning this US move levels the playing field to some extent.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, total goods trade between the Maldives and the US reached US$97.4 million in 2024. US exports to the Maldives surged 34.9% to US$92.6 million last year, while Maldivian exports to the US fell 54.7% to US$4.8 million from 2023. This left the US with a trade surplus of US$87.8 million with the Maldives in 2024, up 51.1% from the previous year.
Maldivian exports to the US are primarily made up of non-fillet fresh fish, fish fillets, and processed fish. In contrast, the Maldives imports aircraft parts and machinery-related equipment from the US, which are vital to its aviation and tourism sectors.
The new US tariff is expected to raise costs for Maldivian businesses exporting to the American market, potentially squeezing profit margins in an already shrinking trade relationship. With Maldivian exports to the US already sharply lower, analysts say the measure could further strain the sector.
The Maldivian government has so far not commented on the US tariff announcement.