Abdullah Al-Haqim 
Although it is not a party to this conflict, the Maghreb region may not seem far from tensions between Europe and America, what is known as “American-European divorce” may have repercussions on the other bank of the Mediterranean in one way or another.
While observers call for caution against this tension, others believe that it is a good opportunity that can be used to rearrange the relations between North Africa and the European space in particular. What are the repercussions of the tension of relations between America and Europe in the North Africa region?
After decades of political, economic, and even military dependency on Washington, Europe today is trying to get rid of the dominance of the United States.
In recent days, the pace of tension between the old continent and America has increased against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s position on the crisis in Ukraine and the imposition of customs duties by 25% on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union.
In the heart of the storm
In light of these variables that print the global political scene, the possibilities of new trade wars between both the United States and Europe are increasing, and its repercussions may extend to the North Africa region, which has economic relations and great policy with both parties, especially the European Union.
The professor of geopolitical sciences at Manouba University, Rafeh, asserts that the tension between Europe and the United States will reach the Maghreb region, and “these developments must be read within the framework of a larger map, which is the relationship of that region with Europe and the Mediterranean.”
He explains that “Europe is living today the most difficult time, as there are 800 billion dollars that will be spent to rearmaize the old continent, so where will this money come?”, And he continues: “It will certainly come from the funds consistent with external aid and among the beneficiaries of North African countries”, and believes that Europe will become more conservative and strict in providing this aid.
In the assessment of the Tunisian university, Europe’s preoccupation with this new conflict and its direction towards armament will have repercussions for migrants from North African countries and their number in millions, and a large part of them may lose his work and another part may be deported, as he put it.
It is also not excluded that this trend will be repercussions on the tourism sector in the southern West Bank countries of the Mediterranean, which is one of the pillars of the economies of the region. “The European market comes at the top of the markets in North Africa, and it is certain that any changes that may affect the ability of Europeans will affect this sector,” he says.
An opportunity to be missed
On the other hand, the North Africa region may benefit from the commercial wars between Europe and America, especially if it succeeds in employing its geographical location and natural resources to achieve new economic gains, and then go towards formulating partnership agreements with other bank countries from the Mediterranean.
Europe is the first economic partner of the Maghreb countries and is linked by strategic partnership agreements with each of which are for decades.
The doctor talks about the horizons that this tension gives to the North Africa region, stressing that the first problem that Europe will suffer from is to obtain gas. “If the tension develops between the two parties, the gas file will be one of the priorities of Europe, which will be forced to go towards North Africa in order to obtain it, specifically towards Algeria, whose gas pipeline passes through Tunisia.”
According to World Bank estimates, European demand for LNG may increase by 20% by 2030.
The doctor also confirms that these developments may force major companies to leave European space, and by virtue of proximity, North Africa will be an ideal area for activity and its continuation, because “if America imposes customs definitions on European commodities, European companies may search for alternatives to manufacturing their products.”
In light of these conditions, the doctor believes that “the region can impose the re -formulation of its agreements with Europe, especially with regard to immigration and economic development files, taking advantage of its new papers, including the struggle of the poles on it, but this will not happen unless these countries go combined and have political awareness of the importance of taking this moment.”
But he stresses that North African countries must maintain their strategic relations with the European party because it remains its first partner at all levels, saying: “They must present themselves as part of the solution.”
