Croatia will work closely with the European Union to safeguard its trade interests with the United States after Washington imposed import tariffs on EU goods, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday.
Speaking at a cabinet session, Plenković said his government had held consultations over the weekend with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on potential EU-level countermeasures.
“Croatian exports to the U.S. were worth nearly €800 million last year,” Plenković said, noting that some categories of goods are of particular national interest. “In discussions on EU responses, we will insist on protecting Croatian interests.”
He said government ministries, business chambers, and other relevant bodies are monitoring the impact of the tariffs, which are set to take effect next week.
“While the direct impact on the Croatian economy may be limited, this decision could trigger a broader global chain reaction,” Plenković said, adding that one-third of global trade is conducted between the U.S. and EU.
The prime minister warned that the U.S. move risks undermining competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue, agreements, or the World Trade Organization.
Plenković also pointed to the EU’s extensive global trade network, citing 44 free trade agreements with 76 partners as evidence of the bloc’s commitment to open markets.
