Ukraine: Green light from the 27 to tax Russian cereals imported into the EU

Published 2024년 5월 30일

Tridge summary

European trade ministers have approved a measure to impose heavy taxes on cereals, oilseeds, and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus, effective from July 1. This move aims to restrict Russian financial resources, stop the illegal export of grain stolen from Ukraine, and prevent market destabilization. The tariffs will render Russian grain imports commercially unviable, effectively halting them. However, the measure will not affect the transit of these products through the EU to third countries, such as Africa and the Middle East, to maintain global food security. The decision also involves activating an exception clause to deny Russia and Belarus access to WTO grain quotas, providing them with better tariff treatment. This step is part of the EU's efforts to address concerns about Russia's illegal appropriation of Ukrainian agricultural products and its influence on global agricultural markets.

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Original content

In practice, the decision, validated by European trade ministers meeting in Brussels, will amount to heavily taxing from July 1 cereals, oilseeds and their derivatives, among other products, for which import duties into the EU are currently low or zero, according to a press release. This measure, proposed in March by Brussels, aims to stem Russian financial resources, to “stop the illegal export of grain stolen from Ukraine” and to prevent Moscow from “destabilizing” agricultural markets, reacted European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. While Russian grain imports increased significantly in 2023 into the EU, “these prohibitive tariffs will make them commercially unviable”, leading to their de facto interruption, he previously indicated. Agricultural products from Belarus, a close ally of Moscow, will also be targeted. On the other hand, the measure will not concern the transit via the EU of cereals and other agricultural products to third countries, in Africa or the Middle ...

Source: Pleinchamp