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The suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the European Union will be extended for another year, following the May 13 adoption by the Council and April 23 vote in the European Parliament.
These so-called Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) have been in place since June 2022 and are a key pillar of the EU's support for Ukraine, providing a lifeline to the country's economy through access to the EU market.
The measures are also mindful of EU stakeholders' concerns. To this end - and considering a significant increase in imports of some agricultural products from Ukraine to the EU in 2022 and 2023 - the renewed ATMs contain a reinforced safeguard mechanism. It allows for quick remedial action to be taken in case of significant disruptions to the EU market or the markets of one or more Member States.
In addition, an emergency brake applies to eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, maize, groats, and honey, which will be automatically triggered if import volumes reach the average yearly imports recorded between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2023. The Commission's Directorate-General for Trade has also published those import volumes.
Now that the ATMs are adopted, the Commission is also taking the necessary steps, through consultations with Ukraine under Article 29 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, to agree on longer term reciprocal tariff liberalisation. This process aims to provide economic certainty and a stable framework for trade to both Ukraine and the EU, as well as to farmers and businesses. This would also represent an important step forward for Ukraine's reconstruction and further integration into the EU internal market, with the ultimate goal of securing the country's future accession to the Union.
May 13, 2024/ European Commission/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu
