On July 24, 2026, the uniform 10% surcharge that Washington had been imposing on Mauritian exports since February expired without renewal. For the island's manufacturers, it is a welcome relief: the United States absorbs around 11% of Mauritius's total exports, representing nearly Rs 8 billion in 2025.
A year-long tariff ordeal
Mauritian industry endured more than a year of customs uncertainty. It began in April 2025 when Washington imposed a 40% surcharge via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a severe blow for exporters, particularly in the luxury garment sector (suits, high-end ready-to-wear), which directs up to 20% of production to the US market.
August 2025: the surcharge fell to 15%. February 2026: the US Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA mechanism, but a uniform 10% tax was immediately applied under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. On July 24, 2026, this measure expired — and was not renewed.
A Mauritian diplomatic win
The Minister of Industry claimed credit: "This positive outcome is not the result of chance. We took the initiative to go to Washington" to engage directly with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The Minister of Foreign Affairs has set the next objective: securing a long-term renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
A competitive advantage restored
The Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) noted that the development "brings greater visibility to exporting companies and strengthens the competitiveness of Mauritian products on the US market." Meanwhile, competitors such as Vietnam, China, Bangladesh and India remain subject to additional duties of 10 to 12.5% — a gap that restores Mauritius's differentiated positioning in the global textile value chain.
Why it matters
For an open economy of 1.3 million people, every point of export competitiveness counts. The end of this surcharge is not symbolic: it secures contracts, protects jobs in the textile industry and strengthens Mauritius's commercial credibility with American buyers. The next step — AGOA renewal — will determine whether Mauritius consolidates or weakens its position as a premium manufacturing hub in the Indian Ocean.
Sources: AllAfrica / L'Express Mauritius / Mauritius Export Association — July 24-25, 2026