The U.S. government has decided to impose 127 % anti-dumping (AD) & Countervailing duties (CVD) on imports of steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from Algeria, accused of subsidizing its steel sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).
An anti-dumping and Countervailing duties are imposed by Washington on unfairly priced imports to protect domestic industries. These duties act as a trade defense mechanism, countering unfair foreign pricing to safeguard American local jobs and businesses from being undercut by cheap imports.
On June 2025, the U.S. has increased duties on all aluminum and steel imports from 25% to 50% ad valorem. The new tariff rates apply to both steel and aluminum articles, as well as their derivative products. This increase is intended to provide greater support to domestic industries and counter the threats posed by these imports.
Imposing 127 % tariffs on Algerian Rebar exports will deal a very hard blow to the oil-dependent economy of the Algerian regime already battered by declining hydrocarbon revenues and increasing public expenses, widening the fiscal deficit.
In July, President Donald Trump slapped Algeria with 30 % tariffs hike and warned the ruling junta that any reprisals would draw tougher counter-measures.
In a letter sent to President Abdelmajid Tebboune, Mr. Trump notified him of enforcement of the new higher tariffs which started on August 2025 targeting all Algerian products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.
“We must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Algeria’s Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers”, said U.S. President, noting that the 30% tariff hike is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity the United States has with Algeria.
The new additional U.S. tariffs imposed on Algerian steel combined with the recent removal of American ambassador will increase the pressure on the Algerian regime and limit its margin of manoeuvre to either comply or face sanctions !
