US reiterated Kosovo requirement: Remove the tax

In order to pave the way for the dialogue process with Serbia, the United States of America, it seems they have again sought by Kosovo authorities to suspend the 100% tax on Serbian goods.

The tax issue and the need for its suspension has been a constant US request at the address of Kosovo state leaders, a senior official of the American administration, Voice, was quoted as saying.

The United States has consistently raised the issue of tariffs and the need to suspend them. Kosovo leaders are clear about the seriousness of our position and the challenges that present the tariffs for strong bilateral relations between the United States and Kosovo. Kosovo and Serbia, the top official further emphasises, should take difficult but necessary action and decisions, give priority to negotiations and normalise relations between them”.

In November, Kosovo imposed a 100 per cent tax on goods from Serbia due to Belgrade's aggressive approach to Kosovo citizenship.

Belgrade has conditioned the continuation of talks on lifting tariffs, causing the process to remain suspended.

The United States has sometimes called for the suspension of tariffs, while last week President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, spoke on the phone with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The American demand for the suspension of tariffs has caused disagreements within the ruling coalition in Kosovo.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj insists that the tariffs be held until a final agreement with Serbia, while President Hashim Thaci and Parliament Speaker Kadri Veselini demand that allies be heard and they are suspended.

Right now it's not clear what the way out of a situation created with tariffs will be. The European Union is also putting political pressure on Kosovo for its removal.