US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing higher tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, White House spokesmen said, quoted by Radio Free Europe and dariknews.bg.
The measure, which aims to “restructure global trade in favor of American workers“, will take effect on August 7, not August 1 as previously reported, the statement said.
The new tariffs range from 10 to 41 percent, with the highest tariff imposed on Syria. The total import tax on products reaches up to 50 percent for Brazil. Serbia will be subject to 35 percent tariffs, and Bosnia and Herzegovina - 30 percent. Tariffs for the European Union, Japan and South Korea will be 15 percent. At the same time, tariffs on Canadian goods are increasing from 25 to 35 percent, with the new rates coming into effect immediately. China has until August 12 to finalize a long-term trade agreement with Washington.
According to an analysis by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Serbian exporters of automotive parts - mainly tires, as well as weapons and ammunition - will be most seriously affected by the US tariffs, regional television En1 emphasizes. Pet food manufacturers are also among those most affected by the new tariffs. Bojan Stanić, assistant director of the Chamber of Strategic Analysis and Internationalization, warned that the new tariffs would negatively affect the competitiveness of Serbian goods on the US market.
“The introduction of these rates is a blow to the Serbian economy and exports, as it makes goods significantly more expensive“, Stanić told Beta agency. He noted that about 700 Serbian companies export to the US, and the total trade exchange between the two countries in 2024 amounted to 1.3 billion euros. Exports from Serbia were worth 680 million euros, with exports reaching 350 million euros in the first half of 2025.
Stanić added that “even China received a lower customs rate than Serbia – 30 percent“, and in Europe only Switzerland is affected by a higher rate – 39 percent. According to him, the disappointment among Serbian exporters is justified, since the negotiations between Serbia and the US have not led to either a postponement of the measures or exceptions. He recalled that the American side refers to a trade deficit with Serbia, which, according to Serbian and European statistical standards, does not correspond to reality. However, compared to the initially announced rate of 37 percent, the final tariff for Serbian goods has been slightly reduced to 35 percent.
According to Stanić, if a new trade agreement with Washington is not reached, the negative effect will deepen.
“State support may be temporary, but in the long term the only way out is a new round of negotiations with the US“, he concluded.
Serbia is expecting an official response from the US on a proposal related to the new tariffs, RFE/RL also notes. According to President Aleksandar Vučić, Belgrade has sent its proposal and hopes for a reaction from Washington, noting that trade with Serbia is insignificant for the US compared to that with China or the EU.