The EU is discussing a dispute that in The WTO was started by Russia on EU carbon duties, which will come into force next year. They suggest that some types of imported products will be subject to duties depending on the level of carbon emissions throughout the production chain.
"Russia is challenging the European Union's Carbon Emissions Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the World Trade Organization. Despite the sanctions imposed by Brussels against Moscow, trade in some goods subject to this instrument, such as steel, remains active between the two markets. Some suspect that Russia is seeking to weaken the EU and weaken its international climate ambitions," writes the French Contexte.
According to the publication, the WTO is analyzing Russia's appeal against the European duty, which will enter into force in 2026.
About submitting a request in May to The WTO was announced by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.
"Despite the EU sanctions measures, the PCUM affects the interests of Russian manufacturers, including in the markets of third countries, as it extends to the entire production chain of the relevant goods," said Minister Maxim Reshetnikov.
The Russian side believes that the carbon duty significantly restricts access to the EU market.
"Using this mechanism, the EU is trying to shift the problems caused by their economic policies to other states, and now the PCUM for them is an uncompetitive way to preserve the market. Through the PCUM, Brussels is not struggling with climate change, but with the problem of transferring European production facilities to third countries," the Russian ministry said.
In his opinion, the real goals are The aim of the EU is to protect its industries from bona fide foreign manufacturers and solve the problems of its own inefficiency.
"The EU is trying to impose standards on the whole world that are beneficial only to Brussels. The fight against climate change is just an excuse in this case. PKUM has nothing to do with it. On the contrary, it takes in the budget The EU already has limited resources of developing countries that could be directed by them to modernize their production facilities or reduce the impact of emissions on the climate in the most cost—effective way for them," Maxim Reshetnikov added.
It is known that starting next year, carbon duties will begin to apply to imports of cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen to the EU. In the future, tariffs are planned to be extended, including for gas. Qatar has already announced that it will stop LNG supplies if it falls under EU restrictions and duties.