The introduction of a 10 percent tariff in the United States (US) on products from Montenegro may have an impact on the "Noblewood" and "Plantaže" vodka factories, and this impact may be positive because this duty on Montenegrin products will be lower than some competing countries.
This was announced to "Vijesti" by the Government and the state-owned company "Plantaže". Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development Nick Djelosaj He told "Vijesti" that Montenegro will not retaliate against these measures and increase duties on products from the US.
American President Donald tramp Two days ago, he imposed tariffs on products from over 150 countries, ranging from 10 to 49 percent of the purchase value of the goods when imported. He said the US is imposing “reciprocal tariffs” on all countries, roughly half of what they are charging.
Montenegro has certain customs duties - levies - on certain products from the USA (which applies to all countries outside CEFTA and the EU), ranging from 10 to 30 percent, which most often applies to household products and carbonated and alcoholic beverages. The average rate is 20 percent, so in accordance with Trump's order, a rate of 10 percent was introduced for products from Montenegro.
Montenegro exported goods worth five million euros to the United States last year, of which 2,5 million were spirits, wine and beer. The remaining 2,5 million were re-exports and returns of previously imported goods.
According to this data, last year's export of "Beluga" brand vodka by the company "Noblewood" was worth around two million euros, and "Plantaža" around 400 thousand.
Đeljošaj told "Vijesti" that the introduction of the lowest rate on Montenegrin products demonstrates strong economic relations and the continuity of America's friendly policy towards Montenegro.
"Each country independently determines its tax policy and we do not interfere in the decisions of other, especially partner countries. The USA is our centuries-old, reliable and important partner, and the fact that the list of sanctions imposed by the USA on countries states that the lowest possible customs duty is foreseen for our country, proves our strong economic relations and the continuity of America's friendly policy towards Montenegro. Our partnership is long-term and based on the same ideals of Euro-Atlantic and Western values. In this regard, we are working dedicatedly to strengthening our cooperation in all spheres, especially after last year's signing of the Memorandum on Economic Cooperation," said Đeljošaj.
The European Union, for which tariffs ranging from 10 to 49 percent have also been introduced, depending on the country and product, has announced the possibility of countermeasures, i.e. the introduction of additional tariffs on American products, as well as negotiations to avoid a total tariff war.
"Montenegro will not introduce tariffs on products from the US, and by doing so, we will further demonstrate our commitment to the alliance and partnership with the US, as they have also shown by introducing the lowest tariffs for our country," said Đeljošaj.
Countries on the list of new tariffs from the region include Serbia with a 37 percent tariff, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 35 percent, North Macedonia with 33 percent, as well as Albania and Kosovo with 10 percent each. Croatia and Slovenia, as EU members, will have tariffs of 20 percent.
Trump has called the reason for imposing tariffs on the rest of the world "liberation day" and bringing American manufacturing home. His goal is to make domestic production cheaper in the United States and to force other countries to lower tariffs on imports of US products.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic Yesterday, at a press conference, he said that thanks to the partnership and efforts of the Government, the lowest customs duty on products from Montenegro has been introduced. He announced that an intergovernmental agreement on joint investments will soon be signed with the USA.
They see an opportunity in "Plantaže" because tariffs are higher for competing countries
The company "Plantaže" said that they have been exporting wine and brandy to the US for decades and now, for the first time, tariffs have been imposed on them.
"The value of exported products is almost 0,4 million euros. The introduction of tariffs by the US government in the amount of 10% will certainly increase the prices of our products. On the other hand, a favorable circumstance is that all countries in the region, as well as major wine-producing countries, are burdened with higher tariffs than we are, so part of the sales of their wines can be passed on to us," the state-owned company announced.
Noblewood told Vijesti that they cannot yet answer questions about how these tariffs will affect the sale of their products in the US, because official legislation on the new tariffs has not yet been published.
"Certainly, when we have more information, we will be happy to consider these issues," the company said.
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