THE FOLLOW UP
GOAL

U.S. and North Macedonia commit to deepen economic and national security cooperation on supply chains, duty evasion, and export controls

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enforcement

Bilateral measures or formal cooperation are put in place to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation, to combat duty evasion, and to coordinate on investment review and export control processes (e.g., agreements, joint initiatives, or implemented policies).

Source summary
The United States and the Republic of North Macedonia announced a framework for a bilateral trade agreement aiming to expand market access for exporters and deepen transatlantic ties. Key provisions include North Macedonia eliminating customs duties on U.S. industrial and agricultural goods, the U.S. keeping reciprocal tariffs at 15% with some products designated for a zero percent rate, cooperation on non-tariff barriers, supply-chain and national security measures, and commitments on environmental protections, intellectual property, labor, digital trade, and services. Both countries intend to finalize, sign, and complete domestic procedures to bring the Agreement into force.
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3 months, 17 days
Next scheduled update: Jun 01, 2026
3 months, 17 days

Timeline

  1. Scheduled follow-up · Dec 31, 2026
  2. Scheduled follow-up · Jun 01, 2026
  3. Completion due · Jun 01, 2026
  4. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 05:43 PMin_progress
    The claim describes a bilateral commitment between the United States and North Macedonia to strengthen economic and national security cooperation, focusing on supply chain resilience, duty evasion, and cooperation on investment reviews and export controls, as stated in a White House joint statement on February 12, 2026. The initial signal of progress is the formal Framework for Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade announced by the White House, which outlines intended areas of cooperation but does not detail concrete measures yet. Publicly available statements from U.S. officials (e.g., the White House briefing and USTR remarks) confirm the alignment on enhancing supply chain resilience, addressing non-market policies, and coordinating on investment reviews and export controls, but treat these as planned actions rather than completed policies. No announced bilateral implementations, binding agreements, or implemented policies were reported at the time of the date of the statement, suggesting the effort remains at the framework stage rather than fully realized execution. The sources cited include the White House release (official government content), USTR/ambassador statements, and independent outlets summarizing the framework, all indicating alignment but no milestone verifications. Reliability varies by source, but the core claim rests on an official government document, with corroboration from additional official and reputable outlets; nonetheless, the absence of concrete measures as of February 2026 supports an in_progress assessment rather than complete or failed. Given the absence of completed measures and the presence of an announced framework, the status is best characterized as ongoing negotiations or planning toward bilateral actions rather than finalized implementations.
  5. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 03:27 PMin_progress
    The claim states that the United States and North Macedonia committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience, combat duty evasion, and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls. It cites a bilateral framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade to advance these goals. The framing emphasizes coordination on non-tariff barriers, investment screening, and export-control cooperation as core elements. Evidence of progress is visible in official statements released on February 12, 2026. The White House joint statement outlines a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, including commitments to strengthen supply chain resilience and innovation, address non-market policies of other countries, combat duty evasion, and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls. The USTR press release reiterates these points and signals groundwork for an Agreement to be finalized and signed. These documents indicate formal intent and initial negotiating steps, but not finalization or entry into force. As of the current date, there is no completed bilateral agreement or binding set of measures in place beyond the framework announcement and ongoing consultations. The materials describe the intended path toward finalizing an Agreement and preparing domestic formalities, with emphasis on eliminating certain tariffs, addressing non-tariff barriers, and coordinating investment and export-control processes. The absence of a signed pact or implemented policy changes suggests the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed. Source reliability is high, relying on official US government communications (White House, USTR). These primary sources accurately convey the framework’s contents and stated milestones, though they also reflect the negotiating stage and the administration’s framing of the deal. Given the staged nature of trade agreements, the absence of a signed instrument or concrete implementing measures supports the conservative assessment of ongoing negotiations rather than finalization at this time.
  6. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 02:22 PMin_progress
    Restated claim: The United States and North Macedonia committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience, combat duty evasion, and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls, as part of a framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade. Evidence of progress to date: The White House issued a joint statement on February 12, 2026 outlining a Framework for negotiations toward a U.S.–North Macedonia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The accompanying terms include tariff liberalization for North Macedonia and ongoing work to address non-tariff barriers, plus commitments to strengthen supply chain resilience, combat duty evasion, and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls (with explicit language about finalizing the Agreement and preparing it for signature). The USTR fact sheet from February 2026 reiterates these framework terms and notes that finalization would occur in the coming weeks. Current status and completion likelihood: As of February 13, 2026, no final bilateral agreement or formal implementation measures appear to be in place; the documents frame an intent to finalize and implement a comprehensive reciprocal-trade agreement. The White House page states the goal to finalize the Agreement and undertake domestic formalities before it enters into force, while the fact sheet emphasizes forthcoming work to lock in benefits. This points to an in_progress status rather than a completed arrangement. Dates and milestones: The primary milestone is the anticipated finalization and signature of the Agreement, with domestic formalities to precede entry into force. The White House text also flags energy interconnection progress (gas interconnector with Greece) and commitments on labor, environment, digital trade, and IP protection as aligned advance areas, but these do not constitute final, bilateral measures in effect. Source reliability note: The core claims come directly from official U.S. government outlets—the White House briefing page and the USTR fact sheet—supplemented by publicly accessible State Department trade context documents. These sources are primary, official statements about policy intentions and forthcoming steps, though they do not reflect a completed agreement as of the date in question.
  7. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 12:43 PMin_progress
    The claim states that the United States and North Macedonia committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience, combat duty evasion, and coordinate on investment reviews and export controls. Publicly available statements confirm that a Framework for a reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade agreement was agreed, aimed at expanding market access and aligning on security-related economic measures. As of 2026-02-13, there is no evidence that bilateral measures have been implemented or that a final agreement has entered into force. Independent and primary sources show progress in negotiation rather than completion. The White House issued a joint statement on February 12, 2026 announcing a Framework for negotiations and highlighting intended areas such as supply chain resilience, anti-dumping/enforcement cooperation, and investment review/export controls coordination. The USTR released a companion fact sheet outlining the framework and expected benefits, including duty-elimination for certain goods and tariff considerations. These documents indicate ongoing talks and a planned path toward formal agreements, not finalized policy enactments. What remains unclear is a concrete completion timeline or binding measures yet put in place. The completion condition—bilateral measures or formal cooperation implemented—has not been met according to the publicly released materials, and the White House language emphasizes finalizing the Agreement and domestic formalities before it enters into force. No evidence shows signature, ratification, or in-force status as of the current date. Milestones such as signature, implementing regulations, or start of operational procedures have not been publicly announced. Source reliability is high for the claim, drawing directly from the White House briefings/statements and the USTR fact sheet, both official government channels. These materials provide a consistent account of the framework’s existence, intended scope, and negotiation posture, though they intentionally describe ongoing negotiations rather than completed policy steps. The incentives for both sides appear aligned toward deeper trade ties paired with strengthened security cooperation, but the absence of finalization keeps the claim in a state of ongoing negotiation rather than completed action. In summary, the claim is best characterized as in_progress. The key framework and areas of cooperation are publicly acknowledged, but no bilateral measures have been implemented or formalized to satisfy the completion condition as of 2026-02-13. The next verifiable milestones would be the final agreement, signature, and any associated domestic implementing actions documented by official channels.
  8. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 10:15 AMin_progress
    Restated claim: The United States and North Macedonia committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience, combat duty evasion, and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls as part of a framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade. Evidence of progress exists in official communications announcing a Framework for negotiating a reciprocal trade agreement. The White House joint statement (Feb 12, 2026) outlines key terms, including elimination of North Macedonian duties for U.S. goods (with U.S. reciprocal tariffs at 15%), commitments to address non-tariff barriers, and to cooperate on investment reviews and export controls, among other measures. The USTR released a companion fact sheet detailing the framework and signaling intent to finalize an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. These documents establish the framework and near-term milestones but do not constitute a fully concluded bilateral trade agreement. Current status indicates the framework is in place and negotiations toward a formal Agreement on Reciprocal Trade are intended to follow. The White House communication notes the aim to finalize the Agreement and prepare it for signature, with domestic formalities to occur prior to entry into force. No final agreement or implemented policies specific to the full package are publicly documented as completed as of 2026-02-12. Thus, the effort remains active, with bilateral measures pending completion. Reliability: primary sources are official U.S. government communications (White House briefing/statement and USTR fact sheet), appropriate for tracking state-to-state negotiations. While outlining commitments and potential tariff steps, they stop short of final ratification or enacted enforcement measures, reflecting an in-progress status. Coverage from other reputable outlets corroborates the framed terms but does not replace authoritative documents.
  9. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 07:18 AMin_progress
    The claim states that the United States and North Macedonia committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to improve supply chain resilience and combat duty evasion, and to coordinate on investment reviews and export controls. The White House joint statement confirms a Framework for a reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade and commits to strengthening economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation, as well as to fight duty evasion and cooperate on investment reviews and export controls (White House, 2026-02-12). The document indicates the intention to finalize the Agreement and undertake domestic formalities before it enters into force, signaling progress toward the goals but no final bilateral measures or formal accords have been publicly announced as of the current date (White House, 2026-02-12).
  10. Original article · Feb 12, 2026
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