North Macedonia–United States trade relations: trends and perspectives

This paper examines the trade relations between North Macedonia and the United States, focusing on the structure,
competitiveness, and balance of trade through the application of the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and
Trade Balance Index (TBI) over the period 2015–2024. The analysis reveals that North Macedonia maintains a strong
and consistent comparative advantage in beverages and tobacco, as well as in food and live animals, which continue
to dominate its export profile to the U.S. market. Emerging trends indicate a gradual improvement in machinery and
transport equipment, reflecting growing industrial capacity and diversification driven by foreign investment and
integration into global value chains. Conversely, sectors such as chemicals, fuels, and raw materials remain importdependent,
with persistently low RCA and negative TBI values. Overall, the findings highlight a trade structure still
concentrated in traditional products, yet showing potential for transformation toward more value-added and
technology-oriented exports. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for policy measures that support
innovation, export diversification, and stronger bilateral economic cooperation between North Macedonia and the
United States.
Key words: trade relations, North Macedonia, United States, Revealed Comparative Advantage, Trade Balance
Index