What U.S. Tariffs Have to Do with Your Marketing Budgets?
And Why You Should Care?
Most marketers in the Arab world and UAE aren’t tracking U.S. tariffs. And why would they? These taxes target imported goods, mostly from China—not your ad budget.
But here’s the reality: the blow doesn’t land at the front door. It hits the marketing department through the back.
If you’re running digital campaigns for startups or SMEs, you’re not immune. Tariffs trigger a chain reaction—costs rise, budgets shrink, and marketing is one of the first things to get cut.
This blog post isn’t about trade policy. It’s about helping you keep your marketing strategy sharp when the ground shifts beneath you.
Let’s Talk About the Real Problem
The actual platforms—Google, Meta, TikTok—haven’t been hit with these tariffs. But the companies using them have. That means:
Higher product costs for businesses.
Tighter profit margins.
Less to spend on marketing.
If your clients sell physical goods or rely on global supply chains, these rising costs are showing up as reduced marketing spend. So, what does that mean for you, the marketer or strategist?
You’re likely dealing with fluctuating budgets, cautious clients, and unpredictable ad performance.
Why It Feels Like the Rules of Marketing Are Changing (Because They Are)
1. Ad Budgets Are Getting Squeezed
Even if your client hasn’t said it out loud, they’re watching expenses more than ever. Tariffs lead to increased operating costs. Marketing feels like an easy place to pause or pull back, especially when the returns aren’t immediate.
This hits hardest in performance marketing. Ad platforms are now more expensive and more competitive, and companies are scaling back when they can’t see a direct ROI.
2. Markets Are Jumpy
When the global economy feels uncertain, businesses get cautious. That translates to fewer bold campaigns, shorter commitments, and a mindset of “let’s wait and see.”
As a marketer, you’re probably seeing more short-term asks, lower commitments, and clients hesitating before approving spend.
3. The Domino Effect Is Global
The U.S. sets the tone. When it starts taxing imports or tech, other regions like the EU often follow. If digital services start getting taxed more heavily, expect the platforms to pass some of that cost to advertisers.
Whether you’re in the UAE, KSA, or Jordan—your CPMs might go up, even if you’re not the one getting taxed.
So What Do You Do Now?
This isn’t a “panic” moment, it’s a pivot moment. Here are three things to keep your marketing work stable and strategic:
1. Rebuild Your Strategy Around Clarity
If your campaigns aren’t working, don’t blame the budget first. Blame the message.
This is where simple and effective marketing matters more than ever. A clear offer, a clear funnel, and a clear ask will always beat high spend and noise.
2. Spread the Risk
Don’t depend on one platform, one audience, or one campaign type. Build a system that can flex.
Work with multiple platforms—Google, Meta, TikTok, local media. Run high-frequency campaigns to smaller, qualified audiences.
This is startup marketing strategy 101: go narrow, then scale.
3. Act Like a Business Partner, Not a Freelancer
Clients will respect you more if you bring them updates they didn’t expect.
Share insights about global trends. Flag how tariffs might affect their inventory, pricing, or customer sentiment.
This is what CMOs/fractional CMOs do, they think beyond content calendars.
Final Thought
Even if you’re not in the U.S.
Even if you don’t advertise on U.S. platforms.
Even if your ads are performing fine right now…
The game is shifting!
The best marketing professionals in the Arab world aren’t just running ads.
They’re reading the signs, adjusting fast, and building marketing setups that survive volatility and scale growth.
If you need help building that kind of system… Let’s talk.
P.S. I saw this post:
"The tech investor dropped us because I speak for Palestine." - Tech Startup - [link]
This prompted me to do something. I want to help startups find growth, whether it be in marketing that leads to revenue or clear communications that lead to finding the right investors.
Only when we stick together, we can achieve the true potential of the Arab world.
This blog is here to help startups. May it find the right people and help them.
From the river to the sea.
Justice and Peace.
P.P.S. Marketing Isn’t the Problem—Clarity Is.
No worries. Drop me an email or click “Let’s Talk” below. I’ll sit with you for 1 hour to simplify your marketing and help you turn your bank account into a money magnet.
