U.S. to keep 15% reciprocal tariffs on most North Macedonian goods and exempt select products

Timeline

1. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 10:14 AMin_progress
   Claim restatement: The claim asserts that the United States will maintain a 15% reciprocal tariff on originating goods of North Macedonia and will identify a subset of North Macedonian products to receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff, per applicable executive orders. Evidence of progress: On February 12, 2026, the White House joint statement framework confirms that North Macedonia and the United States have agreed to a framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade. Key terms include North Macedonia eliminating customs duties on U.S. goods and the United States maintaining a 15% reciprocal tariff on North Macedonian originating goods, with a list from Annex III identified as eligible for a zero percent rate. The document also notes ongoing consultations and potential further tariff adjustments in the future. Current status and completion: The framework action indicates progress toward an agreement and outlines the tariff stance, but the exact publication/identification of specific Annex III products to receive zero percent tariffs appears not to have been publicly finalized or implemented as of the date of the statement. The White House text states intent to finalize the Agreement and prepare it for signature, suggesting the zero-rate product list remains contingent on the final agreement and domestic procedures. Dates and milestones: The joint statement is dated February 12, 2026, signaling a formal framework milestone. The referenced Annex III list originates from a September 5, 2025 update to the applicable executive orders, with follow-on implementation actions to be carried out by Commerce, DHS, and USTR as part of EO 14346. No public notice of a finalized zero-percent list for North Macedonian goods appears in the cited sources. Source reliability and incentives: The primary source is a White House joint statement, a highly reliable official document for policy commitments. Related references to executive orders and the Annex III mechanism come from federal-level notices (e.g., EO 14346 and related guidance), which are credible for assessing tariff policy changes. Given the stated framework and ongoing negotiations, the report remains cautious: the stated tariff posture is in effect as part of the framework, but the specific zero-percent product list and its implementation depend on concluding the Agreement and issuing formal notices.
   • https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/02/joint-statement-on-a-framework-for-united-states-north-macedonia-agreement-on-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade/
   • https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500896/pdf/DCPD-202500896.pdf
   • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/10/2025-17507/modifying-the-scope-of-reciprocal-tariffs-and-establishing-procedures-for-implementing-trade-and
   • https://globalbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Annex-III.pdf
2. Update · Feb 13, 2026, 07:18 AMin_progress
   Restatement of the claim: The White House stated that the United States will maintain a 15% reciprocal tariff on originating goods from North Macedonia and will identify some North Macedonian products (from Annex III) to receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff rate. Evidence of progress so far: A joint statement dated February 12, 2026, outlines the framework terms, explicitly preserving the 15% reciprocal tariff on North Macedonia-originating goods and flagging the potential to select Annex III products for a zero-rate treatment. The statement also notes forthcoming efforts to finalize the broader agreement and to consider additional tariff modifications after concluding the agreement. What remains in progress or unclear: There is no publicly published list of the specific Annex III products that would receive a zero percent rate as of the date analyzed. The framework references identifying eligible products, but no finalized, published subset appears to have been issued publicly yet. Dates and milestones (as available): The framework announcement is dated February 12, 2026. The joint statement contemplates future identification of Annex III products and potential further tariff modifications after the Agreement is concluded, but concrete milestones or an effective date for any zero-rate entries have not been publicly disclosed. Reliability and context of sources: The primary source is an official White House joint statement, which provides the explicit policy terms and the stated intent. While USTR and other agencies have issued related materials, there remains a lack of a public, finalized list of zero-rate products. Given the high-level nature of the document, the information is reliable for current policy direction but incomplete for implementation specifics. Follow-up note: To confirm completion, monitor official notices or amendments (Executive Order updates or Federal Register communications) for the publication of Annex III product listings and any implemented tariff changes stemming from the reciprocal trade framework.
   • https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/02/joint-statement-on-a-framework-for-united-states-north-macedonia-agreement-on-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade/
   • https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/fact-sheets/2026/february/fact-sheet-united-states-and-north-macedonia-reach-framework-agreement-reciprocal-trade
   • https://globalbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Annex-III.pdf
3. Original article · Feb 12, 2026
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