Trade barriers are among the most common instruments of economic protectionism, but in politically unstable environments they become tools of political pressure. In Kosovo, this phenomenon is evident in the measures that local authorities in Pristina have introduced against goods from central Serbia. From the 100% tariffs imposed at the end of 2018 to the complete import ban in 2023, trade has been used as an instru- ment of political signaling rather than a neutral channel of economic exchange.1
The key problem lies in the fact that the measures directly affected the Serbian com- munity in Kosovo, which depends on a stable inflow of basic foodstuffs, medicines, and consumables. In practice, disruptions in supply chains have caused shortages, rising prices, and uncertainty in public services such as pharmacies and health cen- ters. Small shops, which form the backbone of the local economy, have faced clo- sure due to increased costs and uncertainty. These consequences are not short-term; rather, they create sustained pressure on the economic and social survival of the Ser- bian community.
This concerns thousands of citizens whose everyday lives depend on the availability of goods. If the problem is not resolved, there is a risk of irreversible consequences: the permanent loss of local trading networks, a deterioration in health due to shortag- es of medicines, and a heightened sense of isolation and insecurity. In the long term, this could weaken social cohesion and trust in any institutional processes.
The problem also goes beyond the local level. It encompasses the broader framework of regional integration (CEFTA, European processes), as well as trust in international actors mandated to oversee the implementation of agreements. If trade continues to be used as an instrument of politics, this undermines regional stability and every effort toward the normalization of relations.
This paper proceeds from the standpoint that trade must not be a means of politi- cal blackmail. It focuses on analyzing the mechanisms of the politicization of trade, identifying its economic, social, and political consequences, and formulating feasible recommendations that can provide a minimum of predictability and security for the Serbian community in Kosovo.
