U.S. and Macedonia Reach Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

Trade Update • Feb. 15, 2025

Key Points

• North Macedonia will remove customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural exports.
• The U.S. will keep a 15% tariff on North Macedonian goods, with some products receiving a zero percent rate.

• Both countries will address non-tariff barriers, including issues affecting U.S. agricultural exports.

• North Macedonia will purchase U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a new gas interconnector with Greece.

• The Agreement covers environmental protections, labor, intellectual property, digital trade, and trade in services.

T​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​he U.S. and North Macedonia have agreed on a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade to strengthen their economic relationship. The Agreement will expand market access for exporters, support economic growth, and deepen the transatlantic partnership. North Macedonia will remove customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods, while the U.S. will keep a 15% tariff on North Macedonian goods with some products eligible for zero percent. The countries will address non-tariff barriers, enhance energy security, protect intellectual property, and support digital trade and services.

Tariffs

North Macedonia will:

• Eliminate customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods.

The U.S. will:

• Maintain a 15% tariff on North Macedonian goods under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2005, as amended.
• Apply a zero percent tariff on selected products listed in Annex III of Executive Order 14346 (September 5, 2025).
• Consider future tariff changes based on trade balances and other factors.

Addressing Trade Barriers

• Both nations will tackle non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. exports.
• Consultations will focus on preventing barriers to U.S. agricultural products in North Macedonia.
• The Agreement emphasizes facilitating and enhancing commercial ties overall.
  

Additional Commitments

Energy and Supply Chain

• North Macedonia will purchase U.S. LNG after completing the new gas interconnector with Greece.
• Energy security will be strengthened and sources diversified.
• Actions include enhancing supply chain resilience, combating duty evasion, and coordinating on investment reviews and export controls.
  

Environment and Labor

• North Macedonia maintains high environmental standards and enforces environmental laws effectively.
• Labor issues will be addressed collaboratively.
  

Intellectual Property

• The two countries will engage on measures to strengthen intellectual property rights, including the enforcement of protections for geographical indications.

Digital Trade

• North Macedonia will not impose a digital service tax and supports a permanent WTO moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions.
• Both countries commit to maintaining high-standard digital trade practices that promote fairness and competition in the digital market.

Trade in Services

• North Macedonia remains committed to participating in the WTO Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation.
  

How GHY Can Help?

GHY specializes in helping businesses navigate and reduce the impacts of tariffs through strategic solutions tailored to their needs. Our experts can audit your supply chain to identify inefficiencies, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and ensure compliance with evolving trade regulations. We also employ tariff engineering techniques to optimize product classification and sourcing strategies, minimizing duty exposure and maximizing profitability.

By partnering with GHY, your business gains access to the tools and expertise needed to streamline operations and stay competitive in a challenging trade environment.

Contact Us Today! Booking a Meeting, email consult@ghy.com, or call +1 (800) 667-0771.