US tariffs expected, the plan to overcome them is already underway

What this new situation could at first the US to somehow affect the Macedonian economy is that some dilemmas for potential investors can arise, in terms of directing their businesses in the country precisely because of a 33 % tariff in US trade. But, on the other hand, the established strategic partnership with the United States and, in that framework, the new initiatives that the Macedonian government have proactively taken go to overcome this situation. Namely, experts argue for our newspaper that « the thread of administrative appliances has done its thing », but US interlocutors are hoping that Macedonia’s products from the United States will go without customs. It is now extremely important that diplomacy is to complete what has already begun

Awaiting Macedonian-American Free Trade Agreement as a crown of strategic partnership

Hot reactions have sparked the announcement of the tariffs that the United States has introduced to several countries in the world, which has not exempted Macedonia, but due to the small trade exchange the country has with the United States the tariffs will have no impact on the country.
What this new situation could at first the US to somehow affect the Macedonian economy is that some dilemmas for potential investors can arise, in terms of directing their businesses in the country precisely because of a 33 % tariff in US trade. But, on the other hand, the established strategic partnership with the United States and, in that framework, the new initiatives that the Macedonian government have proactively taken go to overcome this situation. Namely, experts argue for our newspaper that « the thread of administrative appliances has done its thing », but US interlocutors are hoping that Macedonia’s products from the United States will go without customs. It is now extremely important for diplomacy to complete what has already begun.

Contacts have been made, the initiative encountered a positive echo

In this context, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski noted that Macedonia had previously been aware of the plans of the new US administration to introduce tariffs, so that it was previously discussed with the people of President Donald Trump’s nearest perimeter to work on a free trade agreement between the two countries, further deepening strategic cooperation.
The US president himself, the day after the introduction of the tariffs, said they were not final and that official Washington would conduct talks with each country separately, if they show interest in finding mutually acceptable solutions.
– This is expected. This was clear during the inauguration of President Trump and he said that. In our country, at our customs tariff we have customs duties for certain groups of products greater than 60 percent coming from the United States. As early as January, when I was in the United States, along with the then deputy, Secretary of State Cassanof, we discussed the signing of a bilateral agreement within the strategic dialogue between the two countries in the field of economics and trade. We started then knowing that such processes would follow. I think that was the right path we started to walk. Then, as part of this whole process, we suggested to sign a free trade agreement with the United States, so that there were no customs duties on either side, to see if it was all possible. I gave the people of my cabinet, work both in customs and within the Ministry of Finance, to check that in accordance with applicable agreements we can sign such a duty -free agreement. I suggested this the same to Howard Lunno, who is Secretary of State for Economy – Prime Minister Mickoski told the public.
He added that Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski also talked to US Secretary of State Marko Rubio, as well as another White House official at a meeting in Brussels.
– From all sides this is welcomed as a great idea and as a great starting point. Now we are checking all aspects, whether it is possible, and I appreciate that if we do, it would be an extremely big step forward and thus confirm and seal the strategic partnership between Macedonia and the United States – said Mickoski.

Our feasible goal is a US free trade agreement

Deputy Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski also expressed an identical stance, pointing out that at present the priority is to conclude-a free trade agreement with the United States.
He explained that in this way Macedonia will not have any customs duties with the United States, that the trade deficit data that the United States and Macedonia has submitted to the World Trade Organization is now being harmonized and to assess what the deficit it is.
– We are ready, we have talked to the Donald Trump administration and we are ready to sign a free trade agreement with the United States. It is our first measure regarding our trade with the United States and that is our goal. We will need to comply with EU member states – said Dimitrovski.
According to him, Macedonia and the United States have different data on the trade deficit between the two countries.
– Based on the data submitted by America and the data we submitted to the World Trade Organization are different. We have a trade deficit according to our data, and according to them they have. The point is that there should be confrontation and see what data are correct – added Dimitrovski.
Some analysts believe that the Macedonian authorities should respond immediately to reach an agreement with the United States to remove customs duties, and the possible signing of a free trade agreement will send multi -way messages.
– The first people of the government have good connections with the new US administration, as well as with people at the helm of the US economy. It is good to intensify the meetings with them, once again, to argue and argue the Macedonian position and to recall the strategic partnership and, within that, to sign a free trade agreement and thus eliminate the problem of tariffs. Trump has left an open door for all countries to manage, so we need to be a little more affordable, more persistent in the performance and to use close ties to reach such an agreement as soon as possible. If we succeed in our intention, it will be a big plus for us as a state, and at the same time a message will be sent to the neighboring countries that the Macedonian-American strategic partnership is not only on paper, but it works on every basis, including when it comes to quickly closing the open issues that stall the Macedonian European integration path. However, the processes are extremely intense and at least we need to be passive, especially when it comes to things that concern the Macedonian economy – analysts conclude.