EC intends to impose duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus

The European Commission (EC) plans to introduce duties on agricultural products, nitrogen fertilizers from Russia and Belarus. The corresponding statement was published on the website of the organization on January 28.

"Agricultural products affected by the new tariffs represent 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023, which have not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the Council, all agricultural imports from Russia will be subject to EU tariffs. The aim of the proposal is to reduce dependence on imports from Russia and Belarus. Such imports, especially fertilizers, make the EU vulnerable to potential enforcement action by Russia and thus pose a risk to EU food security," the EC said in a statement.

It is noted that the tariffs will support the growth of domestic production and the EU fertilizer industry, which suffered during the energy crisis, as well as allow diversification of supplies from third countries.

"This will help ensure a stable supply of fertilizer and, most importantly, ensure that fertilizer remains available to EU farmers at an affordable price. The proposal includes mitigating measures if EU farmers see a significant increase in fertilizer prices," the text of the statement reads.

At the same time, the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to third countries remains unchanged, the document says.

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Earlier, June 28, 2024, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Russia's retaliatory measures to the EU decision to raise duties on imported Russian and Belarusian agricultural products will not be long in coming. In her opinion, these are not trade and political measures, but another anti-Russian sanctions.

Also on this day, Zakharova said that all the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the European Union were ineffective, they failed to undermine the Russian economy, contrary to the plans of the West. According to her, despite the EU's obstacles, Russia will continue to supply the world markets with energy resources, fertilizers and food.

Zakharova noted on March 22 that the proposal of the head of the European Commission to raise duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus could further aggravate the situation with food in the world.

Associate Professor of the Department of Economic Policy and Economic Measurements of GUU Maxim Chirkov, in turn, pointed out that the increase in tariffs will lead to higher food prices in Europe. At the same time, the impact of such unfriendly actions on Russia's economy will be limited, as the European market is not the main market for the country, he added.

The West has increased sanctions pressure on Russia amid a special operation to protect the population of Donbass. The decision to launch it was made by the Russian president amid the aggravation of the situation in the region due to Ukrainian shelling.