EU Imposes Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Ag Goods, Fertilizers
The Council of the EU on June 12 imposed tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus that weren't subject to the additional customs duties thus far imposed on related products. The council said the goal is to "reduce EU dependence on those imports" and "reduce Russian export revenues" in a bid to limit Russia's ability to fund its war against Ukraine.
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Specifically, the tariffs will cover "certain nitrogen-based" fertilizers and agricultural imports that made up around 15% of all ag imports from Russia in 2023. The goods are currently classified under "Chapters 1, 2, 4 to 24, 29, 33, 35, 38, 41, 43, 50, 51, 52 and 53 of the Combined Nomenclature (CN)," while the fertilizers are classified under Chapter 31 of the CN.
The council said the current imports of these products amount to a "dependency" on Russia, which could impair the EU's food security and subject the bloc to "potential coercive actions" by Russia. The council placed special emphasis on the need to protect the fertilizer industry, saying that the fertilizers covered by the duty expansion "are essential for plant growth and play a critical role in maintaining the ability of the Union’s agricultural sector to produce food."
The EU specifically invoked Article 207(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows the bloc to impose regulations necessary to implement the "Common Commercial Policy."