site.btaNorth Macedonia's PM Expects US Tariffs on Goods from His Country to Drop below 15%

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski Friday said he expects the 15% tariff on goods from North Macedonia, announced by US President Donald Trump, to be reduced, as “negotiations will continue in the second half of August.”

Mickoski compared North Macedonia’s tariffs with those of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Switzerland - which are higher - and expressed satisfaction that North Macedonia is grouped with Israel and the European Union (EU), both subject to 15% tariffs.

“The statement from US President Donald Trump’s office made it clear that this is just the first phase. This is not an agreement, as he said new customs rates will be announced by August 1. These are not tariffs but trade margins. We have already seen a reduction [in the tariffs on North Macedonia] to 15% from 33%. Negotiations are ongoing,” Mickoski said. “We are continuing discussions and I am optimistic that we will achieve an even lower rate,” he added.

Following an executive order signed by President Trump introducing new tariffs, North Macedonia’s rate was lowered from the initially announced 33% to 15%. In the region, Croatia and Slovenia - both EU Member States - also face a 15% rate. Products from Serbia will be taxed at 35%, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30%, and Montenegro and Albania have the lowest tariff at 10%, according to media reports in North Macedonia.