World News
Trump sent a letter to Maia Sandu, announcing a 25% customs tariff on products from the Republic of Moldova.
The Chisinau government confirms that it has been officially notified and states that this quota is lower than the initial proposal of the American side, of 31%, advanced three months ago, NewsMaker reports.
Donald Trump also states in his letter to Maia Sandu that the 25% tariff is “lower than the level necessary to correct the trade imbalance with the Republic of Moldova”. At the same time, the leader from the White House assures that, if Moldovan investors produce directly on American territory, these tariffs will not be applied, and approvals will be granted “quickly and efficiently”.
In contrast, Trump warns, if the Chisinau authorities decide to increase their own taxes, their value will be added to the 25 percent already imposed by Washington.
It is a great honor for me to send you this letter, which demonstrates the strength and commitment of our trade relationship, as well as the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Moldova, despite the significant trade deficit with your wonderful country. However, we have decided to continue working with you, but under conditions of more balanced and fair trade. Therefore, we invite you to participate in the economy of the United States, the largest market in the world, by far.
We have discussed our trade relationship with Moldova for years and have come to the conclusion that we must abandon these long-term and very persistent trade deficits, generated by Moldova’s tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Unfortunately, our relationship has been far from reciprocal. Starting August 1, 2025, we will apply a tariff of only 25% to Moldova on all Moldovan products exported to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs. (…) Please understand that the 25% rate is much lower than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit we have with your country.
As you know, no tariffs will be imposed if Moldova or companies from your country decide to build or manufacture products in the United States, and in fact, we will do everything we can to obtain approvals quickly, professionally, and procedurally — in other words, within weeks.
If, for any reason, you decide to increase tariffs, then whatever percentage you decide to increase them by will be added to the 25% that we are charging.
Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct the tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers applied by Moldova over many years that have caused these unsustainable trade deficits with the United States. This deficit poses a major threat to our economy and, indeed, to our national security!” – says Trump in the letter sent to Maia Sandu.
In addition to the Republic of Moldova, the new tariffs announced by Washington target five other states: Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya and the Philippines. The tariffs vary between 20% and 30%, depending on the country. According to the American administration, the measure aims to correct trade imbalances and protect the economic security of the United States.
What does the Republic of Moldova export to the USA
Statistical data show that the Republic of Moldova imports about 50% more goods and services from the USA than it exports. Thus, last year the Republic of Moldova exported goods worth 90.23 million dollars to the USA (2.5% of the total), an increase of about 46% compared to 2023, with the United States becoming the tenth largest trading partner in exports, Mold-street shows.
At the same time, the Republic of Moldova imported goods worth 135.25 million dollars from the USA last year, 10% more than in 2023.
Thus, a trade deficit of about 45 million dollars is recorded to the detriment of Moldova.
The main export product of the Republic of Moldova is alcohol and, in particular, sweet wines. Thus, last year, alcohol exports to the US amounted to 52 million dollars, representing about 58% of exported goods.
The data show a veritable explosion of alcohol exports on the US market, increasing by about 5 times in 2024 compared to 2023, the American market reaching 20% of alcohol exports from the Republic of Moldova, according to the cited source.
Last year, the US was in 14th place (by 2.5%) in the top of the Republic of Moldova’s trading partners, according to the Minister of Economy, Doina Nistor. “At the same time, in recent months, our exports to the US have decreased by 40%,” the minister mentioned in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening.
Source: stirileprotv.ro
