In the shadowed valleys of Gorazde, Bosnia and Herzegovina, ammunition manufacturers are bracing for potentially difficult times ahead as tariffs imposed by the United States threaten their main market. Founded in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars, companies in this resilient region had previously relied on the booming demand for firearms and ammunition in the U.S. Now, they face new challenges stemming from a series of tariffs announced by then-President Trump.
The launch of these tariffs, which began making headlines in early April, has left local firms like Ginex and Pobjeda Technology worrying for their survival. Ginex produces crucial components for ammunition, such as ignition devices, known as primers. As the uncertainty surrounding the tariff rates continues to linger, company officials are left grappling with the impact of potential rates—initially projected at 35%—that were later temporarily reduced to 10%.
Demir Imamovic, Ginex's marketing manager, aptly summarises their plight, stating that the initial tariff would "stop all our exports.” The revised rate, while lower, is still deemed prohibitive by some customers in the United States, who may now seek alternatives in the wake of cost increases.
Overall, as these companies navigate an uncertain legislative landscape, the business climate in Gorazde remains tense and fraught with potential financial pitfalls, marking a worrying chapter for an industry that once thrived under more stable conditions. Business owners here, once buoyed by historical demand, now stand uncertain amidst shifting international trade practices.
