North Macedonia, US agree trade deal including natural gas purchases

North Macedonia and the United States have reached a trade agreement that includes the procurement of liquefied natural gas.

The United States and North Macedonia have agreed on a framework trade agreement that is expected to strengthen bilateral economic ties, providing both countries’ exporters expanded access to each other’s markets, the White House said in a press release.

“The Agreement will strengthen our trade relationship, support shared strategic interests, promote economic growth, and deepen our transatlantic partnership,” the US administration added.

North Macedonia will completely eliminate tariffs, while the US will maintain a 15% tariff

North Macedonia will eliminate customs duties for all US industrial and agricultural goods, while the US will maintain reciprocal tariffs at 15%, but will “also identify products” to receive a zero-percent reciprocal tariff rate.

In April 2025, US President Donald Trump decided to introduce reciprocal tariffs of 33% on goods from North Macedonia.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, has said he expects 63 to 64 strategic products to be exported to the US with single-digit tariffs, ranging from zero to 6.5%.

“These favorable rates are the result of tough negotiations conducted in recent months,” he added.
The agreement also includes a section on energy and environmental protection.

North Macedonia has committed to high levels of environmental protection

“On energy sector opportunities, the US and North Macedonia take note of the construction of an important new gas interconnector between North Macedonia and Greece, which will allow North Macedonia to enhance energy security and diversify energy sources, including through purchases of US liquefied natural gas (LNG),” the agreement reads.

North Macedonia will start buying LNG from the US upon completion of the new gas interconnector, according to the document.

North Macedonia has also committed to adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws.

A contract for the construction of the North Macedonian section of the gas interconnector with Greece was signed in May 2025. The initial capacity of the pipeline will be 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, with a potential to double it.

Completion is expected in early 2027. Currently, North Macedonia’s only route for natural gas supply is the pipeline via Bulgaria.