Chamber of Commerce: New U.S. Tariffs to Hit Tire, Arms, and Pet Food Producers the Hardest

The 35% increase in U.S. tariffs on Serbian goods is expected to have the greatest impact on the country’s largest exporters—namely the automotive parts sector, particularly tire manufacturers, as well as arms and ammunition producers, and pet food manufacturers, according to Bojan Stanic, Assistant Director of the Sector for Strategic Analyses, Services, and Internationalization at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS).

- The new tariffs have been signed into effect by U.S. President Donald Trump and published on the White House website. It remains unclear which exact products will be affected and whether the list may be expanded with additional items, Stanic told Beta news agency. He added that further clarity is expected from the Government of Serbia, which has been negotiating with the U.S. on a trade agreement and potential tariff reductions.

He noted it is deeply concerning that Serbia is among the 10% of countries placed on this “blacklist” of highest tariffs. In Europe, only Switzerland has been hit with a higher rate—39%—while China has received a tariff of 30%, he said.

The new tariffs are set to take effect on August 7, by which time U.S. customs authorities are expected to complete technical preparations.

Stanić acknowledged the disappointment among domestic exporters, as negotiations between the two countries did not result in reduced tariffs or a delay in their implementation.

- These tariffs will negatively impact Serbia’s economy and exports, as they reduce the competitiveness of Serbian goods in the U.S. market by increasing prices at the outset, he said, pointing out that around 700 Serbian companies export to the U.S.

In 2024, total trade between Serbia and the United States amounted to EUR 1.3 billion, with Serbian exports accounting for EUR 680 million. In the first half of this year, exports reached approximately EUR 350 million.

- The main Serbian exports to the U.S. are automotive components, primarily tires, followed by arms, including sporting and hunting weapons and ammunition, as well as pet food, Stanic explained.

He added that while government support measures could offer short-term relief to exporters, they would not be sustainable in the long run. A more viable solution would be to reinitiate talks with U.S. officials.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from dozens of countries and foreign territories.

The increased tariffs on Serbian goods reportedly stem from a statistical discrepancy: the U.S. administration believes it has a trade deficit with Serbia, whereas data compiled in Serbia—aligned with EU methodology—indicates otherwise.

Since April 2, when Trump first announced the tariffs, Serbia’s rate has been slightly reduced, from 37% to 35%.

Privredna komora Srbije

Bojan Stanic

US tariffs on goods from Serbia