DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Economist Alberto Veloz / MEPyD

New US tariff policies could significantly impact the Dominican Republic’s economy, according to economists and customs experts speaking at a recent colloquium, Listin Diario reported. The US has announced it will impose 10% tariff on imports from the Dominican Republic as of 1 August 2025.

The colloquium, hosted by the Padre José Luis Alemán, S.J. Center for Economic and Social Studies (CEPA) and coordinated by the Economic Analysis Team (EAE) of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), brought together leading voices to discuss the potential fallout.

Economist Alberto Veloz highlighted the Dominican Republic’s heavy reliance on free zone exports, particularly to the United States. In 2023 and 2024, these zones accounted for a striking 66% of the country’s total exports. “This could be a breaking point for our economy in the near...