The European Commission plans to suspend for one year import duties on all Ukrainian exports to the EU

The European Commission plans to suspend for one year import duties on all Ukrainian exports to the European Union and all EU anti-dumping and safeguard measures in place on Ukrainian steel exports. This is an unprecedented gesture of support for a country at war.

 

This decision means the suspension of all customs duties on products whose trade has not been fully liberalized under our trade agreement. This is applied to industrial and agricultural goods, which are currently limited by quotas or the entry price.

 

This will maintain economic activity in Ukraine and support national production. Ukrainian producers will become more competitive on the international market and will be able to trade on equal terms with European counterparts.

 

This step will also help to increase Ukrainian exports to the EU and beyond. The European Union is Ukraine's largest trading partner, and during the war it became almost the only window in international trade: many goods exported by Ukraine to Africa and Asia transit through Europe. At the same time, the same duties are imposed on goods as on exports to the EU. Now all duties will be suspended, and Ukraine will be able to profitably export products without additional administrative costs. This will allow us to focus on improving the competitiveness of Ukrainian goods on the international market. The realization of smart specialization will help the regions in this, as identifying competitive industries and working on their further development will increase confidence in the Ukrainian economy and stimulate additional investment. And supporting Ukraine's economy during the war is extremely important both to help Ukraine win this war and to get back on its feet post-war.

 

Therefore, the EU will help Ukraine maintain its trade position in the international market. And this is another signal that trade relations with the EU will deepen.

The EU is also already taking measures on the ground to facilitate overland goods transport to help to get Ukrainian products out into the world. For example, the Commission has already started liberalising the conditions for Ukrainian truck drivers transporting goods between Ukraine and the EU, as well as facilitating transit and the use of EU infrastructure to channel Ukrainian exports towards third countries.