EU Tariffs Threaten Ukraine's War-Torn Steel Industry: CEO Urges Exemption

Yuriy Ryzhenkov, the CEO of the Ukrainian steel company Metinvest, has urged the European Union to either remove the restrictions on Ukrainian steel imports or grant a special exemption for Ukraine. Access to the European market is vital for the industry's survival amidst the ongoing war, he emphasized to BBC News. The EU recently imposed limits on steel imports to protect its producers from cheaper products coming from countries like China and Turkey. Consequently, the allowable steel import volume into the EU without incurring duty has been capped at 18.3 million tonnes annually, marking a 47% reduction compared to 2024.

• Free trade agreement exists between Ukraine and the EU.
• The European Union can implement separate trade safeguard measures.
• Ryzhenkov argues it is unfair for Ukraine to be subjected to general restrictions, especially during the ongoing war.
• Ukrainian metallurgical industry anticipates a 50–60% decrease in steel exports to the EU.
• European Commission representative explained Ukraine's situation was considered in policy formulation.
• Separate quota for Ukraine ensures metal exports but is set at a lower level than previous years.

Ukraine's Steel Industry Faces Unprecedented Crisis

Prior to the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation in 2022, Ukraine's metallurgical and mining sectors contributed approximately 10% to the nation's income and accounted for a third of its exports, with the EU being the principal buyer of Ukrainian steel. Ryzhenkov reported that every Ukrainian steel plant has endured Russian attacks since the war commenced, with the intensity of these strikes increasing recently. In September, for the first time in about 150 years, Ukraine's steel production came to a halt. He also revealed that nearly 800 Metinvest employees have lost their lives since the conflict began. To enhance safety, the company has upgraded its facilities with covered areas where employees can seek refuge during air raid alerts. Ryzhenkov anticipates that the approaching winter could be one of the most challenging in Ukraine's history, further exacerbated by reduced EU market availability, complicating the industry's survival.