Shahini: Kosovo faces economic, diplomatic, and political consequences of the US decision

President of the Business Alliance, Agim Shahini, stated that after the US suspension of the strategic dialogue, Kosovo is facing economic, diplomatic, and political consequences, and that one of the measures could be a multiple increase in tariffs.

“After Kosovo was suspended as a strategic partner, it joined a group with Russia, China, and Georgia. These four countries either do not have a dialogue with the US, or their strategic partnership has been suspended by the US. This has economic, diplomatic, and political consequences,” Shahini told Kosovo Online.

He reminded that Kosovo is already facing economic measures from the EU.

“These are the second set of sanctions since Kurti became Prime Minister of Kosovo. And this directly affects the lives of citizens and Kosovo’s progress,” Shahini said.

He is convinced that such a US decision will also indirectly affect the results of the local elections on October 12.

“It will certainly have consequences for the elections, both local and central,” Shahini specified.

He explained that the US usually takes such decisions against leaders who, through undemocratic behavior, affect the US or refuse the possibility of cooperation.

“The US has influence all over the world, including in Kosovo. This is a major warning that those leaders, or some people from the Balkans, will quickly end up on the US list as personae non gratae,” Shahini noted.

When asked how this US decision could impact Kosovo economically, the economist warned that one possible measure could be a drastic increase in tariffs on Kosovo’s exports to the US.

“The Trump administration issues some measure against a country almost every day. Currently, we have a ten percent tariff with the US, but they could raise it to fifty percent or more. So, there will be significant consequences,” Shahini said.