Skopje, 8 April 2025 (MIA) - Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski is in constant communication with the United States in regard to the issue with the tariffs, and we expect a resolution soon even though the direct effects of the introduction of the tariffs aren’t significant when it comes to both exports and imports, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told journalists Tuesday.

The Minister said the country is drafting amendments to the Law on Customs Tariffs to reduce tariffs to as low as zero since, she said, there would be no significant effect to the budget. She also stressed that the country is not levying tariffs of 65 percent on the U.S.

“This is a mistake because even if you take a look at the individual tariffs in the Republic of Macedonia there is no tariff of 65 percent,” Dimitrieska Kochoska said.

Dimitrieska Kochoska noted that the lack of a free trade agreement with the U.S. is a complicating factor and efforts are being made to reach and sign such an agreement.

“I believe that ultimately the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will manage to sign such an agreement that will change the tariffs among other things,” Dimitrieska Kochoska noted, reiterating that the country will initially propose reducing tariffs.

She urged calm and stressed that there won’t be layoffs of workers employed by foreign companies as a result of the tariffs.

“They won’t do this because transferring capital is a very difficult task and decision and needs time. It is almost impossible to do in the short-term. That’s why we should not create panic about potential layoffs. This won’t happen. In the meantime, I expect the European countries to reach a deal with the U.S. While a potentially reduced production and reduced exports by those countries will certainly have an effect in the meantime, this doesn’t mean there will be layoffs. In the country we only have an issue in one situation, with one company which is directly dependent on exports to the U.S. and we are working to solve that issue right now,” Dimitrieska Kochoska said.

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