The Kosovon government announced on August 1 that it has removed customs duties on all products originating from the United States, setting tariffs at 0% for American goods entering the country.

The shift follows new US tariffs targeting 69 countries (April 2025), including a 10% duty on Kosovo’s exports to the US. At the same time, the US has set higher tariffs for several Balkan nations, including Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro, which received only a 10% tariff from the US, reflecting relatively favourable treatment and opening new avenues for economic cooperation.

The chamber noted that since the first warnings from the US administration, it had consistently urged the government to take two key steps: the complete abolition of customs duties and the immediate launch of negotiations for a Kosovo–US Free Trade Agreement.

“Although the government did not move in this direction earlier, we believe that the abolition of this tax and the reinstatement of the MCC [Millennium Challenge Corporation] agreement is a good opportunity to increase cooperation with the US,” the chamber said.

The business association added that removing tariffs should be a starting point, not the final step, in advancing relations with Washington. “The two countries have great room for increased cooperation. Let these positive developments encourage stronger ties and investment in our country,” it said.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed the removal at a government meeting, stating, “all products originating from the United States will have a 0% tariff when they enter our country.”

The decision was supported by Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and the American Chamber of Commerce, which had urged for this change.