Skopje, 23 May 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday that 50% of customs tariffs will be reduced starting July 1. He emphasized that this was a long-awaited request by the business community, with a second round of reductions set for January 1, 2026.

“These are customs tariff items and related fees aimed at boosting domestic production and supporting the export of local manufacturing companies, while aligning with European standards, which is very important. Fifty percent of the customs tariffs will be leveled starting July 1, and the remaining fifty percent from January 1, 2026,” said Mickoski in response to a journalist's question at the Macedonian National Theater, ahead of the formal academy marking May 23 – National Day of the Vlachs.

When asked about US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 50% tariff on EU products and whether this could negatively impact Macedonia’s economy, PM Mickoski said he expects that the country will be among those with the lowest customs rates.

"Currently, the customs rate with the United States stands at 10 percent. Through this harmonization, we are reducing it to zero for imports of American goods and services, which I believe will be positively received. We're already in advanced discussions with the Trump administration, and I've had several conversations with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. I expect this will position us among the countries with the lowest tariffs globally," Mickoski said.

Photo: MIA archive