After almost a month has passed since America tightened its customs policy and imposed 10 percent tariffs on goods imported from Montenegro, we are still not sure how this might affect the export of Montenegrin products.
We export the most beverages to the American market, so their producers could be under attack.
Whether the impact will be positive or negative largely depends on America's next steps - explain the Plantaže company, which annually exports products worth around 400 thousand euros to the United States of America (USA).
America is introducing higher tariffs on all imports - news that has stirred up the public around the world, but not Montenegro.
Goods from our country will be subject to customs duties at a rate of 10 percent, and those who produce spirits, wines and beers in our country could be hit the hardest.
In addition to the "Noblewood" vodka factory, the list also includes the state-owned company "Plantaže", which annually exports wines and brandies worth around 400.000 euros to America.
"With that customs rate, the company '13. Jul - Plantaže' does not expect a decline, or a significant decline, of our wines on that market," said Marija Gašović, spokesperson for the company "Plantaže".
Last year, we exported a total of five million dollars worth of goods to the American market, of which 2,21 million euros were strong alcoholic beverages.
This mostly refers to vodka from the new factory in Nikšić, and to a lesser extent to strong drinks "Plantaža". Wine was exported for 227 thousand euros, and beer for 27 thousand.
Speaking about the company "Plantaže", the Ministry of Agriculture says that a smaller export of their products to the American market is possible.
"But not because of reduced competitiveness due to the introduction of tariffs, but because of the reduced willingness of importers from the United States to import new quantities, because they had already accumulated stocks of these products from Europe before the decision came into effect," the Ministry of Agriculture said.
In a stunning reversal, in early April, US President Donald Trump dropped the toughest tariffs he had imposed on US trading partners, excluding China, declaring a 90-day pause in their application.
The Government of Montenegro stated at the time that it would not introduce reciprocal tariffs, while the Minister of Economic Development, Nik Đeljošaj, pointed out that there is a possibility that our products will be more competitive on the US market after the introduction of tariffs because lower tariff rates compared to other countries will open up new space.
Gašović explains that this scenario is possible if, after a 90-day break, previously determined customs duties towards other countries are re-established, while in Montenegro they remain at 10 percent.
"Montenegro was provided with the lowest customs rate of 10 percent, unlike the countries of the region and the European Union, where it was significantly higher and ranged from 20 percent to even over 30 percent for the countries of the region. This fact may represent a competitive advantage for Montenegrin wines, especially in relation to the countries of the region. However, bearing in mind that this customs policy has been changing recently and that we cannot predict how it will develop in the coming period, we will carefully monitor the situation, analyze the market and reactions, and adjust our export and sales strategies accordingly," said Gašović.
In this context, Vladimir Joković's department says that their plan is to work on opening new distribution channels in the coming period.
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