4 Feb 2025 16:06

Kiev counts on agreement with U.S. on steel tariffs

MOSCOW. Feb 4 (Interfax) - Kiev has chances for a pragmatic agreement with the United States on steel tariffs, Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative Taras Kachka said.

Ukrainian exports to the U.S. rose 67% to $869 million in 2024, accounting for 2.08% of all exports, Ukrainian media quoted him as saying on social media. At the same time, imports from the U.S. totaled $3.4 billion, or 4.95% of all imports to Ukraine.

Kachka said that such a surge in exports to the U.S. is caused by the fact that its lion's share is metals, which began to be shipped by sea, while the U.S. imports to Ukraine are dominated by "the security component and used cars."

"By U.S. President Trump's logic, Ukraine deserves to have tariffs lifted to smooth trade. But this is hardly the most likely scenario," he said in response to a hypothetical question about the likelihood of U.S. tariffs on Ukrainian products.

"We have chances for a pragmatic agreement with the U.S. on steel tariffs," he said.