EU tariffs aimed at China hitting Ukraine, steel boss says

{"heading_1":"EU Steel Tariffs and Ukraine's Steel Industry","paragraph_1":"The European Union's recent imposition of tariffs on imported steel has had a significant impact on Ukraine's steel industry, with the country's steel boss, Yuriy Ryzhenkov, calling for exemptions for Ukraine.","paragraph_2":"Ryzhenkov, the chief executive of Metinvest, a major Ukrainian steel company, argues that the EU's measures are unfair and have been 'bundled together' with restrictions on Chinese imports.","paragraph_3":"The EU has capped the amount of steel that can enter the bloc tax-free at 18.3 million tonnes per year, a 47% reduction from 2024 levels. Ukraine's specific steel quota is at a 'level lower than in the past years', according to the EU.","paragraph_4":"Despite a free-trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine, the EU can introduce separate trade protection measures. Ryzhenkov points out that Ukraine has been 'bundled together' into these measures without any consideration for the country's situation.","paragraph_5":"The EU's steel tariffs are affecting Ukraine's steel industry, which is crucial to the country's economy. Before the war, metallurgy and mining accounted for roughly 10% of Ukraine's national income and a third of its exports. The EU is Ukraine's top customer.","paragraph_6":"The industry has suffered from the continued Russian bombardment, with all of Ukraine's steel mills being bombed at points since the conflict began in 2022. At one point in September, there was 'no single tonne of steel produced' in Ukraine for the first time in about 150 years.","paragraph_7":"Ryzhenkov expects the coming winter to be 'one of the hardest in our history'. The company has 'improved the covered areas' at its mills where workers can shelter during air raids, but the industry is facing a significant challenge with the EU cutting its available market by 60%.","paragraph_8":"The EU has acknowledged that Ukraine's specific steel quota is at a 'level lower than in the past years' and has offered compensations to its largest suppliers, including Ukraine. However, Ryzhenkov argues that these measures are not enough to help the industry survive."}