Finland and Sweden urge EU to slap tariffs on all Russian goods and services
Photo: Elina Valtonen, Finland’s foreign minister (Getty Images)
The foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland are proposing that the European Union impose customs duties on all goods and services from Russia, according to Yle.
In addition to tariffs, the two countries are proposing new export restrictions on Russia. In particular, they are calling for a complete ban on imports of Russian fertilizers into the European Union and on exports of luxury goods from Europe to Russia.
The two countries also propose a full ban on servicing in EU ports for vessels transporting oil, gas, or coal from Russian ports.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen warned that the threat posed by Russia will be long-term.
“This means that we must maintain pressure regardless of a possible ceasefire or peace agreement,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard emphasized that Russia cannot wage war without revenues from its energy sector.
According to her, the new sanctions are planned to be included in what would be the EU’s twentieth package of anti-Russia sanctions.
The ministers also added that the European Union must further reduce its dependence on Russia. They believe Russian fertilizers can be replaced by boosting domestic production as well as through imports, including from Canada.
EU tariffs
It should be recalled that last fall, US President Donald Trump urged the European Union to impose tough tariffs on countries that are major buyers of Russian oil — in particular, China and India.
Despite the fact that the US leader imposed tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil, EU leaders did not follow his example.
