United States, Canada Lift Tariffs On Ukrainian Products, Including Steel

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced last week that the Biden administration is temporarily lifting Section 232 tariffs on imports of steel and steel products from the Ukraine. The relief will last one year.

The European Union (EU) already has proposed exempting products from the Ukraine from safeguard measures that limit steel imports, and lifting anti-dumping tariffs the EU currently imposes on Ukrainian steel tubes and hot-rolled flat steel products.

According to the Commerce Department, by employing one in 13 Ukrainians, the country’s steel industry is uniquely important to its economic strength. “Steelworkers are among the world’s most resilient — whether they live in Youngstown or Mariupol,” Secretary Raimondo said, “We can’t just admire the fortitude and spirit of the Ukrainian people—we need to have their backs and support one of the most important industries to Ukraine’s economic well-being. For steel mills to continue as an economic lifeline for the people of Ukraine, they must be able to export their steel.”

In related news, the Canadian government also has offered a plan to lift tariffs on all products from the Ukraine for one full year. From 2019 to 2021, Ukrainian exports to Canada averaged $170.8 million annually, and the Canadian government collected about $2.6 million in duties from these goods.

This proposal will come into force once the Order in Council is approved and registered. The Canada Border Services Agency would then issue a Customs Notice detailing how importers can claim relief under the remission order. Read the announcement here.