President Muizzu Says Maldives Stands to Gain Most from UK Tuna Tariff Suspension

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldives will benefit more than any other country from the United Kingdom's decision to suspend tariffs on tuna imports, describing the move as a major turning point for the country's fisheries sector.

Speaking on PSM News' "Nation Chat" programme, President Muizzu said the Maldives was the only small island developing state among tuna-exporting nations that had faced such a high tariff in the UK market.

"We are pleased about the decision to suspend tariffs until the end of 2028. The biggest relief from this decision will go to the Maldives. Among SIDS countries, the Maldives was the only one that faced this tariff. So what the Maldives has truly gained from this decision is the greatest achievement. Other tuna-exporting countries will also benefit from the tariff relief. But the biggest relief will be to the Maldives. I congratulate the people," the President said.

President Muizzu said the UK placed special importance on finding solutions for the Maldives because the country conducts 100 percent sustainable fishing. He said the discussions, which covered how to benefit both British consumers and Maldivian fishermen within WTO rules, had been ongoing for the past two and a half years.

"Because the Maldives is a country that practices 100 percent sustainable fishing, the United Kingdom gave high priority to finding ways to support the Maldives. Within WTO frameworks, finding a way that would make prices lower for British consumers and also better for fishermen. Those discussions were ongoing over the past two and a half years," he said.

The President also credited sustained diplomatic engagement for the outcome. He noted that Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, who previously served as Maldives Ambassador to the United Kingdom, had prioritized tariff relief throughout her tenure in London. He also highlighted discussions he held personally during his own official visit to the UK.

The President said the tariff on Maldivian tuna first came into effect following the country's graduation from Least Developed Country status, a transition that removed the preferential trade terms the Maldives had previously enjoyed. He acknowledged that despite the graduation, the Maldives continues to face development challenges similar to those of LDC nations.

The UK had been applying a 20 percent tariff on Maldivian tuna exports. The suspension, which took effect on 20 May 2026, will remain in place until the end of 2028. President Muizzu also noted that Maldivian canned tuna is already a popular product in the UK market and is widely available in stores there.

Background

The UK government announced the tariff suspension as part of a broader domestic cost-of-living package in response to rising food prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The suspension covers tuna and a range of other food products and applies to all countries without an existing free trade agreement with the UK. The UK Treasury said the measures aimed to ease price pressures on British households. The Maldives had faced a 20 percent import duty on tuna since losing Least Developed Country trade preferences following its graduation from LDC status. Successive governments have pursued negotiations with the EU and the UK to restore preferential market access. The tariff suspension provides a temporary window until the end of 2028. After that date, the standard tariff rate applies unless a permanent trade arrangement has been concluded.