US suspending import taxes on Ukrainian steel

Washington, May 9 (AP) United States is suspending 25% import taxes on Ukraine's steel in a show of support for country's beleaguered ecomy during Russian invasion.

Commerce Department said Monday that it would withdraw tariffs for a year.

Some of Ukraine's largest steel communities have been among those hardest hit during war, including Mariupol mill that's only part of strategically important port city t under Russian control.

“We can't just mire fortitude and spirit of Ukrainian people — we need to have ir backs and support one of most important industries to Ukraine's ecomic well-being,'' Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo said. “For steel mills to continue as an ecomic lifeline for people of Ukraine, y must be able to export ir steel.'' steel levies were imposed in 2018 by Trump ministration, which deployed a little-used provision in U.S. tre law to call foreign steel a threat to American national security.

move outrd U.S. allies, and critics said y did little dress real cause of stress for U.S. steel producers: massive overproduction by Chinese, whose steel shipments to U.S. are alrey limited by or tre barriers.

Biden ministration has removed most of tariffs on steel from European Union, United Kingdom and Japan, allowing ir metals to come in duty-free up to a quota.

such quota applies to Ukrainian imports in move anunced Monday. (AP) VM