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Baghdad traders protest new customs tariffs as Iraq wrestles with shrinking oil revenues
Traders say tariffs up to 30% and new fees disrupt trade and increase costs, with the Federal Supreme Court reviewing a legal challenge to the measures.
- Hundreds of traders and customs-clearance company owners protested outside the General Customs Directorate in central Baghdad, coinciding with a nationwide strike by shop owners who closed markets.
- Facing large debt and oil reliance, Iraq's government imposed the tariffs on Jan. 1 to reduce debt and dependence on oil revenues.
- Traders say the new duties—including a 15% fee on electric vehicles—have raised costs sharply, while port authorities report backlogs at Umm Qasr port in southern Iraq.
- Opponents filed a lawsuit and the Federal Supreme Court is due to rule on Wednesday; many traders consider rerouting imports through the Kurdistan region to avoid higher fees and port backlogs.
- Even basic goods saw steep price jumps, notably infant milk fees rose from about 495,000 dinars to nearly 3 million and container fees from about 3 million to 14 million dinars.
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Baghdad traders protest new customs tariffs, cite rising costs and trade disruption
Baghdad: Hundreds of traders and customs clearance company owners protested in central Baghdad on Sunday, February 8, demanding that Iraq’s government reverse recently imposed customs tariffs that they say have sharply increased their costs and disrupted trade. The new tariffs that came into effect on January 1 were imposed as part of an attempt to decrease the country’s debt and its reliance on oil revenues, as oil prices have dropped. Iraq fac…
Iraqi traders take to streets over customs tariff hike, warn of rising costs and trade disruption
Hundreds of traders and customs clearance company owners protested in central Baghdad on Sunday, demanding that Iraq's government reverse recently imposed customs tariffs that they say have sharply increased their costs and disrupted trade.
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Baghdad Traders Protest New Customs Tariffs as Iraq Wrestles with ...
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Total News Sources40
Leaning Left10Leaning Right4Center18Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 31%
C 56%
13%
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