Amid the picturesque landscape of Gorazde, Bosnia, a historic city rebuilt from the ravages of war, local ammunition manufacturers now face a daunting challenge posed by U.S. tariffs. The tariffs, initiated by President Trump in early April, threaten the stability of companies like Ginex and Pobjeda Technology, which have long relied on American demand for ammunition to sustain their operations.
Having survived the conflicts that tore apart the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, these manufacturers have seen a steady market develop over the decades. However, the recent announcement of tariffs covering nearly all U.S. trading partners—including Bosnia—has raised significant concerns.
Ginex, specializing in ignition devices for ammunition, has put on hold its expansion plans as it navigates the uncertain landscape of tariffs. Initially proposed at 35 percent, the U.S. government later revised the tariff rate to 10 percent, yet this still represents a steep increase and poses a risk of dissuading American customers.
Demir Imamovic, the marketing manager at Ginex, expressed deep fears over how these changes could affect exports. “It would stop all our exports,” he stated, emphasizing the detrimental impact the original and revised tariffs could have on their ability to compete in the U.S. market.
As they brace for the uncertainty ahead, Gorizade's ammunition makers find themselves under fire once more, not from external threats but from economic policies that could reshape their industry for years to come.
