Economic experts in Kosovo are urgently calling for the immediate removal of the 10 percent customs tariff on imports from the United States, labeling it an unjustifiable and harmful measure that undermines the country’s strategic partnerships and economic development.
Described as “damaging and irrational,” experts say that the need to lift this tariff is not only economic but also political and geostrategic in nature.
Safet Gërxhaliu, a well-known economist, strongly criticized Kosovo’s institutions for what he called a lack of vision and failure to advance economic and diplomatic processes. He warned that the government’s silence and inaction are isolating Kosovo on multiple fronts.
“First, it’s a disgrace of the times for Kosovo to penalize a strategic ally and a liberator like the United States with a 10% import tariff,” said Gërxhaliu.
“Second, this demonstrates a clear lack of institutional maturity. Third, it confirms the collapse of Kosovo’s diplomacy—especially economic diplomacy. It is unrealistic to expect effective diplomacy, whether political or economic, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is run by unqualified politicians who do more harm than good,” he added.
Gërxhaliu also pointed out that although President Vjosa Osmani had previously urged the executive branch to suspend the tariff, no action has been taken. He expressed concern about the silence from the U.S., the EU, and even some Western Balkan countries, which, he said, is even more alarming for Kosovo’s future.
In April 2025, President Osmani called for the suspension of the 10% customs duty on goods from the U.S., following the introduction of tariffs on Kosovo imports by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, her stance was publicly opposed by then-acting Finance Minister Hekuran Murati, who asserted that fiscal policy falls within the domain of the executive, particularly the Ministry of Finance.
Gërxhaliu further highlighted a drastic decline in Kosovo’s exports to the U.S., blaming it on the deteriorating economic cooperation.
Echoing the same concerns, economist Mustafë Kadrijaj stated that Kosovo must act swiftly to remove the tariff.
“Kosovo must take a proactive step to eliminate the measure against the U.S. Regardless of whether we have tariffs or not, our entire export volume can’t even begin to make a dent in U.S. consumption or the economy. Given our country’s history, the Kosovo Government should lift these punitive measures immediately,” Kadrijaj stressed.
Official trade statistics show that Kosovo’s exports to the United States dropped sharply in the first five months of 2025. From January to May, exports to the U.S. totaled around €10.04 million, compared to €23.79 million during the same period in 2024—a decrease of over 57.8%, or more than €13.7 million.
Imports from the United States have also declined. In the first five months of 2025, Kosovo imported approximately €322 million worth of goods from the U.S., down from about €356 million during the same period in 2024.
