The Government has announced that the UK is to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero under the UK-Ukraine free trade agreement (FTA), providing, it said, much-needed economic support to the country in its war with Russia.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to cut tariffs to support Ukraine’s economy through this crisis when he visited Kyiv earlier this month, and the Department for International Trade (DIT) has now confirmed that all tariffs on goods imported from Ukraine will be reduced to zero and all quotas will be removed under the FTA.
The announcement follows a direct request from President Zelenskyy’s government to liberalise tariffs and support the Ukrainian economy. Removing tariffs on key Ukrainian exports including barley, honey, tinned tomatoes and poultry will, he said, help Ukrainian businesses and producers when they need it most.
International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “The UK will continue to do everything in its power to support Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion and help ensure the long-term security and prosperity of Ukraine and its people.”
In addition, the UK has also announced an export ban on products and technology that Russia could use to repress the people of Ukraine with products targeted possibly including interception and monitoring equipment.
This will close any existing loopholes to ensure that Russia is not buying these goods from the UK, Ms Trevelyan said.
Department for International Trade
The Department for International Trade is a UK government department responsible for managing trade agreements between the UK and foreign countries, as well as for encouraging foreign investment and export trade.
