As the Trump administration turned to tariffs as a central plank of its economic agenda, some in Lebanon have viewed this protectionist shift as a potential template for national policy. But LIMS cautions against drawing parallels between Washington and Beirut.

While the United States, with its vast and diversified economy, may be able to withstand the impact of higher import duties, Lebanon remains in no position to bear such costs. Tariffs are effectively a tax on consumers and the increased cost of imported goods would exacerbate an already precarious financial situation of Lebanon and deepen economic malaise.

Rather than erecting trade barriers, LIMS argues, Lebanon should embrace a policy of open markets and free trade. Lowering tariffs would help reduce prices for consumers, stimulate competition, and create a more favorable climate for investment and growth — essential ingredients for a country still reeling from financial collapse.

LIMS suggests Lebanon could embrace the principle of fair-trade reciprocity suggested by President Trump through an agreement, such as the removal of tariffs on US goods in exchange for reciprocal access for Lebanese exports. Such arrangements would support Lebanon’s post-crisis recovery without resorting to protectionism.

At a time when global markets are increasingly defined by geopolitical rifts and economic fragmentation, Lebanon’s best hope lies in openness and integration, not isolation. For a small, import-dependent economy, the benefits of free trade far outweigh the fleeting appeal of tariffs.

• Mardini To Sawt Beirut: Trump’s Decisions Regarding Raising Tariffs Are Not Economic. February 12, 2025: SBI, Article (AR).
• Free Lessons From Trump To Lebanon! February 24, 2025: Al-Safa News, Video Interview (AR).