Muizzu attempts to take credit for UK's decision to waive duties on Maldivian fish exports, a move originally initiated and requested by the previous administration
The United Kingdom has decided to abolish the 20 percent import duty on Maldivian tuna products starting in May 2026, a move resulting from extensive negotiations initiated by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration in 2020. While President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu welcomed the decision on social media, highlighting the significant benefits it will bring to the Maldives' fishing industry, the government has faced criticism for allegedly attempting to frame this long-term diplomatic achievement as a success of the current administration.
A fisherman carves a yellowfin tuna on the deck of a fishing vessel. | Getty Images
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has attempted to take credit for the United Kingdom's decision to waive import duties on Maldivian tuna, a measure originally requested by the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The United Kingdom has decided to scrap the 20 percent import tariff previously levied on tuna products entering the country. Discussions regarding this tariff elimination first commenced during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
In this regard, during the fifth round of the Policy Dialogue held between the Maldives and the European Union on November 23, 2020, the Maldives engaged in discussions regarding the exemption of import duties on Maldivian fish products to the EU. The EU ambassadors participating in the meeting expressed their interest in further exploring opportunities for the export of Maldivian fish products to Europe.
Prior to this, President Solih’s Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid, held a virtual meeting on November 18, 2020, with Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth. During the meeting, they discussed the elimination of tariffs on Maldivian fish products.
Furthermore, the previous administration initiated negotiations to establish a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, during which discussions were held to secure fair pricing for Maldivian fish products and to seek the elimination of trade duties.
The previous administration spent four years working on this initiative, holding extensive discussions with the British government regarding fish export duties.
However, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, which lacks significant ties to the United Kingdom, has attempted to take credit for this development. The President, in particular, has been working to frame this achievement as a direct result of his own personal efforts.
In a post on X, President Muizzu welcomed the British government's decision to eliminate tariffs on tuna products imported from the Maldives, effective May 20, 2026.
This is a significant decision that will not only benefit British consumers but also bring substantial advantages to the Maldivian fishing industry. This change is expected to increase the income of fishermen and improve the standard of living across local islands. Furthermore, it was noted that this will expand opportunities in the UK market for sustainably caught Maldivian fish products.
Furthermore, it was noted that this historic decision reflects the close ties between the Maldives and the United Kingdom, as well as the shared commitment of both nations to sustainable trade and economic growth.
However, the current administration has shown little interest in the Free Trade Agreement initiated by the previous government with the United Kingdom, and diplomatic relations between the two nations have seen minimal progress. Furthermore, fishermen have been staging protests against the government due to its failure to fulfill the promises made to the industry.
