The US Department of Commerce announced the suspension of 232 customs tariffs on Ukrainian steel.

This is stated in the statement of the department.

“The metallurgical industry of Ukraine is extremely important for the economic strength of the country, every 13th Ukrainian with a highly paid job works in it,” the report says.

The department noted that some of Ukraine’s largest steel plants have suffered significantly “from Putin’s barbarism,” and the steel plant in Mariupol (Azovstal. – Ed.) has become a symbol of Ukraine’s determination to resist Russian aggression.

“Many of Ukraine’s iron and steel plants continued to pay, feed and even provide shelter to their workers during the fighting. Despite nearby fighting, some Ukrainian plants even began to produce again,” the US Department of Commerce writes.

Creating export opportunities for these factories is said to be important to their ability to continue to employ their workers and support one of Ukraine’s most important industries.

“We cannot simply admire the strength of the spirit of the Ukrainian people – we must support them and support one of the most important sectors of the economy for the economic well-being of Ukraine.”

For steel mills to continue to be an economic lifeline for Ukraine, they must be able to export their steel. Today’s announcement is a signal to the Ukrainian people that we are committed to helping them thrive in the face of Putin’s aggression, and that their work will create a stronger Ukraine today and in the future,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

In turn, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko called this US decision a turning point in trade relations between Kiev and Washington.

Earlier, Ukraine agreed to abolish import duties and tariff quotas with the UK.

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