The new executive order signed last night by US President Donald Trump imposes new customs tariffs, ranging from 10 to 50 percent, on almost all countries that do not currently have trade agreements with the United States.
As part of this decision, the customs rate for North Macedonia has been reduced from 33 percent, as it was previously, to 15 percent.
The same 15 percent tariff rate will also apply to the European Union, with which the US reached a trade agreement on July 27. Of the countries in the region, Croatia and Slovenia will also have a 15 percent tariff, while products from Serbia will be taxed at 35 percent, from Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30 percent, while the lowest rate will apply to Montenegro – just 10 percent.
President Trump first announced the imposition of a 33 percent tariff on products from North Macedonia in April of this year.
The new US tariffs will take effect on August 7, rather than August 1 as originally planned, to allow more time for their implementation.