Vucic: US withhold release order for Zijin Copper products bad news for Serbia

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday a withhold release order issued by US Customs and Border Protection for copper and copper products made by Serbia Zijin Copper LLC was bad news for Serbia and that talks were underway with the US side to solve the problem.

"Evidently, in a geopolitical strife where everyone is against everyone, two big powers - the US and China - stand out and are absolutely dominant, while all others are smaller continental or regional players. Of course, we, too, are paying a price amidst all that, but do not forget that we are also facing problems concerning HBIS in Smederevo, the Smederevo steel plant, as a result of quotas imposed by the EU, and we are struggling and fighting on a daily basis," Vucic told reporters when asked to comment on the US withhold release order, issued on suspicion that Serbia Zijin Copper products are made using forced labour.

He said Serbia Zijin Copper and Linglong Tire were among Serbia's top exporters and major contributors to its economic progress.

"I see that Linglong, too, is taking legal action to protect its potential exports to the US. We will do whatever we can to help. I believe that, also through dialogue we will have with the Americans, we will be able to help our company in Bor (Serbia Zijin Copper) at least a little," Vucic said.

He added that Serbia Zijin Copper, which he noted employed 7,000 people in eastern Serbia, was "literally keeping eastern Serbia alive for us."

"We will do all we can," Vucic said.