Latest news with #NorthMacedonia
Washington Post
a day ago
- Business
- Washington Post
North Macedonia announces plan to take tariffs on US goods to zero in hopes of reciprocation
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia announced plans Monday to abolish all import taxes on the United States in the hope of reaching a reciprocal zero-tariff deal with the Trump administration. The plan still requires parliamentary approval and was put forward after the Balkan country was hit with a 33% tariff from the United States — considerably higher than the 20% imposed on the European Union. 'By unilaterally reducing customs rates, we are sending a message to accelerate the process of reciprocity in a mutual trade exchange,' Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told reporters. The trade volume between the two countries was just $314 million last year while U.S. imports totaled $196 million, according to government figures. Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said he discussed the possibility of a free-trade agreement with the U.S. at a meeting in Washington last week with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. North Macedonia's plan is part of a wider effort to try and stimulate its economy and would include other tariff reductions.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
North Macedonia announces plan to take tariffs on US goods to zero in hopes of reciprocation
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia announced plans Monday to abolish all import taxes on the United States in the hope of reaching a reciprocal zero-tariff deal with the Trump administration. The plan still requires parliamentary approval and was put forward after the Balkan country was hit with a 33% tariff from the United States — considerably higher than the 20% imposed on the European Union. 'By unilaterally reducing customs rates, we are sending a message to accelerate the process of reciprocity in a mutual trade exchange,' Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told reporters. The trade volume between the two countries was just $314 million last year while U.S. imports totaled $196 million, according to government figures. Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said he discussed the possibility of a free-trade agreement with the U.S. at a meeting in Washington last week with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. North Macedonia's plan is part of a wider effort to try and stimulate its economy and would include other tariff reductions.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
North Macedonia announces plan to take tariffs on US goods to zero in hopes of reciprocation
North Macedonia announced plans Monday to abolish all import taxes on the United States in the hope of reaching a reciprocal zero-tariff deal with the Trump administration. The plan still requires parliamentary approval and was put forward after the Balkan country was hit with a 33% tariff from the United States — considerably higher than the 20% imposed on the European Union. 'By unilaterally reducing customs rates, we are sending a message to accelerate the process of reciprocity in a mutual trade exchange,' Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told reporters. The trade volume between the two countries was just $314 million last year while U.S. imports totaled $196 million, according to government figures. Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said he discussed the possibility of a free-trade agreement with the U.S. at a meeting in Washington last week with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. North Macedonia's plan is part of a wider effort to try and stimulate its economy and would include other tariff reductions.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister
ALEX Salmond was a former first minister of Scotland who led the SNP twice, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014. He first joined the party in 1973 and led the SNP into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. Alex Salmond, who grew up in Linlithgow, died of a heart attack last year at age 69. Read on for all Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister. As reported by The National, here is a selection of the latest Alex Salmond news stories. Alba will build on the strategy left by Alex Salmond Kenny MacAskill beats Ash Regan to be elected Alba leader Shock as Alex Salmond died without leaving a will Salmond served as the first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He helped lead the Yes movement in the 2014 independence referendum and resigned as first minister shortly after the result. His then-deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, succeeded him unopposed. Salmond later formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 and was the party's leader. He has been credited for turning the SNP from the fringes into the mainstream as he led them into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. The party subsequently won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later, which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the former first minister died of a heart attack. Salmond collapsed during a lunch in a crowded room with fellow participants at an event in North Macedonia in October 2024. The day before, he had given a speech at the Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid and participated in meetings the morning before his death. In a statement, Salmond's family said he was 'a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend'. The family's statement said: 'Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world. 'He loved meeting people and hearing their stories and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it. 'He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland.' Salmond was married to Moira McGlashan for four decades. The couple did not have any children. Recent reports suggest that he did not leave behind a will. A source close to the family told The Times there is concern about the impact on the late SNP leader's widow, adding: 'There was shock among the family when it became clear that Alex hadn't left a will." Alex Salmond's sister is Gail Hendry, convener of Alba Borders. Gail and her daughter Christina backed Kenny MacAskill to be the leader of the Alba Party. MacAskill served in Salmond's cabinet and defected with him to his new party in 2021. Alex Salmond was accused of bullying colleagues when he led the Scottish Government in a BBC documentary that aired before his death. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was Salmond's deputy from 2007 to 2014, claimed she 'intervened' to stop Alex Salmond from bullying colleagues 'many times' and that he could be 'really rough on people'. Sturgeon (below) told the Financial Times: 'He would be really rough on people. Many times I intervened to stop him.' (Image: Gettty) The BBC documentary, Salmond And Sturgeon: A Troubled Union, which aired before his death, explored the broken relationship between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. It featured interviews from both former first ministers, who spoke about the public breakdown of their long-term political partnership. Hitting out at the documentary on X (formerly known as Twitter), Salmond described it as 'venomous bias' against Scottish independence. He said the documentary had 'plumbed new depths' and advised to 'turn it off after the first episode'. Salmond and Sturgeon's friendship began fracturing after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Salmond while in office to both police and the Scottish Government. Sturgeon's government investigated the allegations, which led to a bitter split between them, with Salmond saying he 'seriously doubts' he will ever be on speaking terms with Sturgeon, according to the documentary. Salmond took legal action against the Government for its handling of the investigation into him and accused the Government of a plot against him. He was cleared of the allegations. Sturgeon had said that she mourned her relationship with Salmond after their friendship ended.
CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
Belgium's Courtois doubtful for World Cup qualifiers due to back problem
Belgium's Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has been diagnosed with a back problem ahead of two World Cup qualifiers and the start of the Club World Cup, his LaLiga club said on Sunday. According to Spanish media, the 33-year-old requires a week of rest and treatment and will miss Belgium's opening Group J qualifiers away to North Macedonia on Friday and at home to Wales the following Monday. However, he should be available for Real Madrid's opening Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18. Courtois has been diagnosed with sacroiliitis, which is an inflammation of the joints connecting the lower spine to the pelvis, causing pain and stiffness in the back and hips.
