The United States has exempted Ukrainian steel from a 25% duty for another year. The relevant proclamation was issued last night by U.S. President Joseph Biden on the proposal of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

In addition, the US President supported Gina Raimondo's initiative and exempted steel from the European Union made from Ukrainian raw materials.

"Throughout this year, we have been explaining to our partners that the main way to restore the Ukrainian steel industry is to integrate it into production chains in the EU and the U.S. The United States President's proclamation is one of the most practical ways to strengthen this integration," commented Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Ukraine is also working with the EU to integrate steel markets. The EU's autonomous trade measures, which were extended for a year on May 25, provide for the exemption of Ukrainian steel from anti-dumping and protective duties. In addition, a separate dialogue on steel, which includes steel producers, has been launched as part of the EU-Ukraine industrial dialogue.

"A significant disruption in steel production in Ukraine has reduced the overall volume of steel production in Ukraine. At the same time, the steel industry has been historically important to Ukraine, and both the United States and Ukraine have an interest in preserving this industry as an economic lifeline while the country recovers," U.S. President Joseph Biden said in his proclamation "Proclamation on the Regulation of Steel Imports to the United States".

Thus, steel production in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2023 was 66.22% lower than in the first quarter of 2022 - 1.23 million tonnes versus 3.6 million tonnes, respectively.

On May 9, 2022, the United States established a one-year duty-free regime for Ukrainian steel, which confirmed the U.S. government's readiness to support Ukraine's economic stability by including Ukrainian steel products in its production processes.