We are very close to finalizing an agreement, and the joint statement confirms this. With the few countries that the United States has already signed agreements with, the process was similar, first there was a joint statement, followed by the signing of an agreement, which from international legal perspective requires additional domestic procedures. For now, I can say that the highest tariff will be 15 percent, which is lower than in many countries, not only globally but also in the region, and for several key products and industries, tariffs will be below 15 percent, Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade TimchoMucunski said Thursday.
As FM Mucunski stated, Macedonia already has products that are exported to the US with tariffs lower than 15 percent, which means that it is moving in the right direction. The negotiation process, he noted, is complex and challenging, but also confidential in nature, which is why many details cannot be disclosed at this time.
“We must protect confidentiality. A document will be made public, which will probably have to go through a parliamentary procedure, and we will all see what that will specifically mean for us. But the fact that we already have products that are exported to the US with tariffs lower than 15 percent means that we are moving in the right direction. I consider that a collective success of the Government, but the fact is that the US is currently negotiating with the entire world regarding this issue. The fact that they decided to give us priority, to a smaller country that is not so significant for the US market from an economic point of view, we need to be realistic – is a direct answer to the question of what this special relationship and this strategic partnership with Washington mean. I hope for a good outcome. The joint statement is a path towards that and I believe that it will bring concrete benefits to representatives of the business community, and ultimately to our economy and all citizens,”FM Mucunskinoted in response to a reporter’s question.
