2024-03-22 14:52:09
EC Photo: Pixabay
The European Commission presented today the proposal to increase the duties on imports into the EU of grain and oilseeds from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, corn and sunflower meal. According to the commission, these measures would not affect the rest of the world. This was announced by the press center of the commission.
The increase in tariffs aims to prevent influence on the EU market and Russia’s willingness to use food exports as geopolitical leverage, the announcement noted. It is specified that Russia has so far sold part of the grain stolen from Ukraine as “Russian” in the EU. It is added that the measure will lead to a decrease in Russia’s income from grain trade and this will affect its ability to finance the war against Ukraine. It is noted that in 2023, Russia exported grain worth about 1.3 billion euros to the EU.
The increased tariffs will also apply to Belarus due to the country’s close political and economic ties with Russia. Thus, the EU is expected to prevent Russia from using Belarus to circumvent the new measures and direct its goods to the European market.
The transit of grain and oilseeds from Russia and Belarus to countries outside the EU is not affected by the EC proposal. The EU Council is yet to assess this proposal. Once approved, the measures are expected to take effect immediately.