“The deadline for the new tariffs to take effect is August 1, 2025, which is tomorrow. But we asked for a transitional period in order to preserve the possibility of discussing certain agreements with the US (we are not talking about a free trade agreement). So far, we have not received a response from the U.S. Department of Commerce, it is expected. I don’t want to say whether this period will be extended or not, but this possibility exists,” Ceban said on the program “Spațiul Public” on Radio Moldova.
Moreover, the possibility of reducing tariffs is also being discussed:
“The fact that we are already in a dialog with the United States of America gives us a chance to achieve a reduction of these tariffs. But the negotiations should be conducted very carefully, taking into account that we have a European vector, and the U.S. has always pursued a trade policy and applied standards different from those in the EU. We are set for an open dialog and we believe that we have a chance to reach an agreement on tariffs”.
According to Ceban, Moldova has the advantage that most of the industrial goods imported from the USA to Moldova are duty-free:
“This is our advantage and we can negotiate from this position because we give the US a much more favorable treatment compared to the 25 percent duty that has to be applied to all imported goods. Yes, we will negotiate. There is a chance of getting a reduction. I am not sure how significant this reduction will be, but we will definitely insist that it will be tangible and will enable our exporters to remain on the U.S. market.”
She also emphasized that “Moldova’s position is an open economic policy based on equal and open partnership”:
“We do not dispute the right of the United States of America to adjust its tariff policy depending on the problems related to the negative trade balance or external debt. But the Moldovan authorities, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, have conveyed a clear message for dialogue”.
Ceban believes that it is thanks to this dialog that it was possible to achieve a reduction in the rate from the original 31% to 25%, which will come into effect on August 1:
“We were not told this directly, but the very fact that we made contact with the U.S. authorities, held technical talks with the Department of Commerce, provided all the information from start to finish – what goods we are talking about, in what volume – all this led to the reduction of the tariff from 31% to 25%. In the case of countries that, as we know, did not have a direct dialog with the U.S., the rate remained the same or was even increased from August 1,” she said.
Alexandra Sheehan, state secretary of the Agriculture and Food Ministry, also expressed her position, confirming that the authorities are ready to provide all the necessary information on the trade in agro-food products, so that the US side gets a full picture of the volumes and specifics of the Moldovan exports:
“We have a proactive position. At the same time, the fact that Moldovan products are already present on the shelves of American stores is the result of colossal efforts of our producers, who have invested in quality, reputation and marketing. The competitors, with whom we compete on the US agro-food market, are in similar conditions – they are also subject to duties. Therefore, we believe that the competitive environment will not change significantly,” concluded Sheehan.
We shall remind you that on July 9, US President Donald Trump said in a letter to Maya Sandu that a 25% duty on Moldovan goods would be imposed on August 1 this year.
