The bloc could target imports of food, nuclear energy, and medicines that have thus far not been in the crosshairs
The EU is considering imposing tariffs on up to €42 billion ($46 billion) worth of imports from Russia that until now have been spared from the bloc’s sanctions regime, Financial Times reported on Friday.
While most EU trade with Russia has been halted over the Ukraine conflict, some imports are still allowed, either because there are no alternative supplies or due to concerns about global market disruptions.
On Thursday, EU trade ministers asked the European Commission to develop a plan to place duties on imports of food, nuclear fuel, and medicines.
The initiative on a broader use of tariffs was put forward by Sweden, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters. “From the European Commission’s side, we will be assessing this and providing member states with options to move forward,” he stated.
Swedish Trade Minister Johan Forssell told FT it was important to cut Russia’s revenues, so that “the income from these tariffs could be spent to help Ukraine to win this war.”
He called for “broad tariffs on all that trade,” but accepted that “it’s sensitive in some areas.”
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