Shafaq News / The Iraqi government took several steps on Saturday to confront the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, while revealing that most Iraqi exports to America are made through the markets of other countries.
The Media Office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Sudani chaired a meeting dedicated to studying the economic and commercial implications of the decision of the United States government of America, to increase the customs tariff on their imports of goods from the countries of the world, and the repercussions of this step on the entire world economy, on crude oil prices, and the extent to which the Iraqi economy is affected in this regard.”
He added that “the meeting reviewed the digital data issued by the Ministry of Commerce, which reveals that the percentage of raising the US customs tariff on Iraqi goods was based on the difference in the trade balance between the two countries, and not because of the customs duties imposed by Iraq on American goods.”
He continued, “It became clear, through the data of the Ministry of Commerce, that the bulk of Iraq’s imports from American goods are through the markets of other countries, as a result of some policies of American companies that they follow in dealing with Iraq.”
He pointed out that “in light of these data, and in order to ensure the best path for the development of the Iraqi economy, the Prime Minister directed to take the necessary measures, as dictated by the supreme interests of the Iraqi economy; as follows: First, work to develop mutual trade relations, by opening outlets for distributors and American commercial agencies, activating Iraqi commercial agencies, and dealing directly between the sectors facing the United States of America.”
Second: “Work on developing banking services between the banking and financial sectors in Iraq and the United States of America, to ensure the achievement of mutual economic interests, and thirdly: Directing the talks team with the American side to review the foundations of the commercial relationship with the United States, with the aim of improving it, and to ensure the construction of balanced economic and commercial relations that ensure mutual interests between the two parties, and develop a positive partnership.”
In the fourth directive: The ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Trade, and those concerned, open a dialogue with the corresponding American sectoral side, to ensure the strengthening of trade relations, following up financial markets and economic expertise houses, and submitting weekly reports to his office.
I'm seeing the price of oil go down dramatically. It's bad enough when it was in the $70s. I believe it hit $63...
You know what that's going to do to the budget tables?
Maybe it's good. Wouldn't that put a little fire under the new exchange rate to come out as quickly as possible?
IMO the revealing of the new exchange rate, the showing of the new lower notes must all be done together in coordination, in synchronization.
In the past I used to think that maybe we could have one and then the other followed by very quickly but based on what we're seeing, no, coordination, synchronization, together because if you do one, then you do the other.
PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Saturday to discuss the economic and commercial implications of the US government's decision to increase customs tariffs.
The meeting reviewed the economic and trade implications of the decision by the United States government to increase customs tariffs on imports from various countries, the resulting effects on the global economy and crude oil prices, as well as the potential impact on the Iraqi economy, according to a statement by the PM Media Office - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
They handled the data provided by the Ministry of Trade, which revealed that the U.S. tariff increases on Iraqi goods were based on the trade balance disparity between the two countries and not due to customs duties imposed by Iraq on American goods.
The data further indicated that the majority of Iraq’s imports of U.S. goods are routed through markets in third countries due to specific commercial practices followed by American companies in their dealings with Iraq.
"In light of this, and to ensure the best course for the growth of the Iraqi economy, PM Al-Sudani directed that necessary measures be taken in line with the higher interests of the national economy," included in the statement.
The measures included the following:
1. Work on developing trade relations by opening channels for U.S. distributors and commercial agencies, activating Iraqi commercial agencies, and facilitating direct trade between corresponding sectors in Iraq and the United States.
2. Enhance banking services between the financial and banking sectors of Iraq and the United States to ensure the achievement of mutual economic interests.
3. Instruct the negotiation team engaging with the U.S. side to review the foundations of the trade relationship with the aim of improving it and ensuring a balanced economic and trade partnership that serves the mutual interests of both sides.
4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Trade, along with relevant stakeholders, will initiate dialogue with their respective American counterparts to strengthen trade relations, monitor financial markets and economic consulting firms, and submit weekly reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.
NADER FROM MID EAST: Liberation of a rock I’ve been saying that forever nobody believe me there we go
Highlights
Summary
In a recent statement dated April 5, 2025, former Iraqi diplomat Gazi Fisizel affirmed that U.S. calls for the liberation of Iraq are aligned with the strategic vision set forth by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Fisizel clarified that Republican Representative Wilson’s remarks regarding the liberation of Iraq are not baseless but rather highlight a carefully crafted strategy aimed at addressing Iran’s role in Iraq,
which the U.S. designates as a terrorist state and a major supporter of terrorism. He noted that Iran’s influence is significant, with armed factions in Iraq operating parallel to the official state and forming alliances with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
According to Fisizel, the increasing rhetoric surrounding Iraq’s liberation may signal impending actions from Washington as tension escalates between the U.S. and Iran.
This narrative illustrates a broader concern regarding Iran’s dominance in the Middle East and the possibilities for U.S. intervention can shift with rising pressures.
The discussion around the liberation project is indicative of the growing urgency among some American officials to confront Iran’s extensive influence in the region, suggesting a potential evolution in U.S. policy regarding Iraq and its neighboring states.
🇺🇸 Former Iraqi diplomat Gazi Fisizel confirms U.S. calls for the liberation of Iraq align with Trump administration strategies.
⏳ Republican representative Wilson’s statements are rooted in a larger U.S. agenda rather than spontaneous rhetoric.
🛡️ U.S. categorizes Iran as a terrorist state, influencing its approach to Iraq.
📈 Armed factions in Iraq have grown into a parallel force aligned with Iran, complicating U.S. interests.
⚠️ Calls for liberation may foreshadow significant U.S. actions in light of escalating tensions with Iran.
🔄 The rhetoric indicates a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Iraq and its regional stance.
🤔 Ongoing discussions reflect a heightened sense of urgency within U.S. political circles regarding Iran.
Key Insights
🔍 Strategic Alignment of U.S. Policies: Gazi Fisizel’s comments highlight a significant trend in U.S. foreign policy. With claims that calls for the liberation of Iraq are rooted in a strategic vision from the Trump administration, it suggests that such rhetoric is part of a larger framework focused on countering Iranian influence in the region. This implies that U.S. foreign policy is not merely reactive but is actively designed to reshape power dynamics within Iraq and surrounding territories.
🌍 Iran as a Central Player in Regional Security: The characterization of Iran as the “world’s foremost sponsor of terrorism” by U.S. officials indicates an understanding of Iran’s pivotal role in Middle Eastern geopolitics. This viewpoint underscores that any U.S. initiative regarding Iraq would ultimately be informed by the necessity to undermine Iran’s influence, which is viewed as a destabilizing factor in the region.
🛠️ Armed Factions’ Power Dynamics: Fisizel’s description of armed factions representing a “parallel” state in Iraq points to a significant challenge for official governance. This situation complicates U.S. military and diplomatic efforts, as these factions, while operationally distinct from governmental authority, may wield considerable power on the ground. Their strategic alliances with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard reflect a deeper connection that could impede U.S. interests in stabilizing Iraq under a pro-Western government.
🚨 Potential for U.S. Escalation: The notion that the liberation project may lead to decisive U.S. actions signals that policymakers are contemplating escalatory steps beyond rhetoric. This raises the prospect that Washington is preparing for a more robust military or diplomatic intervention to reassert control over Iraqi stability, depending on the evolutive nature of U.S.-Iran relations.
📦 Shift in U.S. Policy Framework: Observing the ongoing discussions surrounding the liberation of Iraq is crucial, as they might indicate a transition in U.S. foreign policy posturing. Should the U.S. amplify its engagement in Iraq, it could lead to broader ramifications for U.S. policies in the Middle East, suggesting an intention to reintegrate Iraq into their sphere of influence while countering Iran’s geopolitical maneuvers.
🗣️ Political Discourses Reflect Urgency: The urgency reflected in the statements from Republican representatives underscores a broader shift in policy dialogue among U.S. officials. The fact that some are publicly advocating for escalated actions against Iran suggests a pervasive concern that could mobilize further political and military resources to the region, potentially impacting Iraq’s future governance.
📢 Bipartisan Concerns About Iranian Influence: The discussion around Iraq’s liberation project transcends party lines, as both Republican and potentially Democratic officials may increasingly view Iran as a threat. This bipartisan recognition may open avenues for collaborative policymaking aimed at addressing the perceived Iranian encroachment, leading to a concerted approach in stabilizing Iraq and potentially engaging more aggressively with Iranian interests.
In conclusion, Gazi Fisizel’s observations encapsulate a critical moment where U.S. foreign policy is undergoing significant scrutiny regarding its relationship with Iraq and Iran. As the narrative intensifies, it suggests that the dynamics of U.S. engagement in Iraq will likely evolve, affecting not only the immediate political landscape of Iraq but also the broader geopolitical climate in the Middle East. As these developments unfold, they warrant close attention from scholars, policymakers, and citizens alike.
Al-Sudani chairs a meeting to discuss the economic and trade implications of the US decision to increase customs tariffs
Baghdad /NINA/ -Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Saturday to discuss the economic and commercial impact of the US government's decision to increase customs tariffs on imports of goods from around the world. The meeting also discussed the repercussions of this move on the global economy as a whole, crude oil prices, and the extent of the impact on the Iraqi economy.
A statement from his media office stated that the meeting reviewed digital data issued by the Ministry of Trade, which reveals that the percentage of the increase in US customs tariffs on Iraqi goods was based on the difference in the trade balance between the two countries, and not because of the customs duties imposed by Iraq on US goods.
The statement added: "Through the Ministry of Trade data, it became clear that the majority of Iraq's imports of US goods are made through the markets of other countries, as a result of certain policies followed by US companies in their commercial dealings with Iraq."
It continued: "In light of this information, and in order to ensure the best path for developing the Iraqi economy, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani
directed that the necessary measures be taken, in accordance with the supreme interests of the Iraqi economy; As follows:
1. Work to develop mutual trade relations by opening outlets for distributors and American commercial agencies, activating Iraqi commercial agencies, and engaging in direct trade between sectors operating in the United States.
2. Work to develop banking services between the banking and financial sectors in Iraq and the United States, ensuring mutual economic interests.
3. Direct the negotiating team with the American side to review the foundations of the trade relationship with the United States, with the aim of improving it and ensuring balanced economic and trade relations that safeguard mutual interests and foster a positive partnership.
4. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Trade, along with relevant stakeholders, will undertake to open a dialogue with the American sector counterpart, ensuring the strengthening of trade relations, monitoring financial markets and economic expertise, and submitting weekly reports to the Prime Minister's Office./ End