Sadiq al-Rikabi warned on that Iraq’s customs tariff policy is being applied the wrong way, and if it continues like this, it could seriously hurt the economy and everyday people.
Speaking openly, al-Rikabi said the tariff system is unfair from the start. Right now, there are two kinds of traders in the market. Some are forced to pay customs tariffs, while others are completely exempt. He said this creates clear injustice, weakens fair competition, and disrupts normal market activity.
He explained that customs tariffs are not even a major source of income for the government. Trying to squeeze more revenue out of them, he said, is a clear economic mistake. According to al-Rikabi, the government rushed into this decision without preparing the market or setting up the right economic conditions to handle it.
He warned that applying tariffs in this careless way will push prices higher and reduce people’s buying power. In the end, ordinary citizens are the ones who pay the price.
Al-Rikabi also questioned why the government continues to sell dollars at a subsidized rate to all traders without strict controls. He said there must be clear rules to make sure this support actually reaches those who truly need it.
He pointed out another major problem: Iraq still does not have a strong banking system that people trust. Because of this, citizens are unwilling to save their money in banks. Instead, they see the Iraqi dinar as just another commodity — something that holds little real value compared to the U.S. dollar.
In closing, al-Rikabi warned that weak confidence in the national currency and confused economic decisions will only make financial stability worse. Without real and serious reforms, he said, the situation is likely to keep declining.
