Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov says new EU steel tariffs hurt Ukraine's war-torn economy. He is calling for an exemption from these strict import quotas.
Yuriy Ryzhenkov leads Metinvest, a major steel company in Ukraine. He recently asked the European Union to remove new import restrictions on his products. He claims the EU treats Ukraine like other nations such as China.
Also, Ryzhenkov believes the EU ignored the current war in his country. He calls the new steel tariffs unfair. He wants a special exception so Ukraine can access the European market.
Meanwhile, the European Commission defends its new trade policy. It claims it considered Ukraine's difficult situation. The EU aims to protect its own manufacturers from cheap foreign steel.
Next, the EU set a new annual tax-free quota for steel imports. This limit is 18.3 million tonnes. That represents a 47% drop from 2024 levels.
However, the EU says these rules help member nations compete against global rivals. It notes that a free-trade agreement does not stop it from using these protections. The EU believes the policy still guarantees some exports for Ukraine.
Still, Metinvest expects a large drop in total exports. Industry experts predict a decline of 50% to 60%. Ryzhenkov says this market access is vital for the survival of the industry.
After that, he described the toll of the war on his workers. Russian forces have bombed every steel mill in the country since 2022. Nearly 800 Metinvest employees have lost their lives during the conflict.
Furthermore, the company struggles to keep production running safely. Workers shelter in protected areas during frequent air raids. Ryzhenkov expects the upcoming winter to be very difficult for everyone.
Finally, he highlighted the lack of other trade options. Ukraine relies on the EU as its primary customer. Reducing this market access makes it harder for the industry to keep going.