<\/p>\n
On May 20, 2026, Kyiv hosted the 6th annual \u201cTrade Wars: Art of<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Protection\u201d<\/strong> conference, organized by Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm in collaboration with Done.\u00a0Yurydychna Praktyka Publishing House acted as the general media partner.<\/p>\n The country\u2019s main analytical platform in international trade brought together over 100 participants:\u00a0top managers of industrial enterprises,\u00a0officials from the government and parliament,\u00a0the leadership of the State Customs Service,\u00a0and key Ukrainian business associations.<\/p>\n The key discussion topics included Ukrainian export strategies following the expiration of the EU\u2019s autonomous trade measures,\u00a0the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM),\u00a0countering the use of Russian raw materials in third countries,\u00a0and challenges faced by importers during customs valuation.<\/p>\n Realities of European Integration: Political Challenges and Domestic Market Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n During the first session dedicated to the challenges of domestic exporters,\u00a0a heated debate emerged over the protection of strategic industries.<\/p>\n Oleh Dunda<\/strong>,\u00a0Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,\u00a0emphasized that Ukraine\u2019s accession to the EU remains a political issue and will depend on the global geopolitical landscape after the war,\u00a0noting that integration will not occur before its conclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cModern Europe is undergoing a profound industrial crisis.\u00a0Under these circumstances,\u00a0European leaders will rigorously protect their own markets to prevent domestic crises,\u00a0making the interests of Ukrainian business secondary to them.\u00a0It is time for our companies to stop operating under the ‘every man for himself’ principle.\u00a0Our strong domestic market must become our sole capital.\u00a0Business and the state must articulate a clear public demand to protect domestic producers to speak with Brussels from a position of pragmatism and strength<\/em>,\u201d <\/em>Oleh Dunda stressed.<\/p>\n Ukrainian Exports Without Preferences: The Security Role of the Domestic Steel Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n Participants focused on the outlook for exports amid the reintroduction of tariff-rate quotas starting July 1,\u00a02026,\u00a0in the European market,\u00a0which absorbs over 80% of Ukrainian steel products.<\/p>\n Oleksandr Kalenkov<\/strong>,\u00a0President of Ukrmetallurgprom,\u00a0noted that the primary risks on the European track include new protectionist barriers and the implementation of CBAM,\u00a0which,\u00a0due to political pressure within the EU,\u00a0could completely shut down the European market for Ukrainian steel by 2030.\u00a0Another threat is the surge of imports in Ukraine\u2019s domestic market from 25% to 40%,\u00a0where a significant portion of products has a hidden Russian footprint (such as slabs processed in Turkey or China to circumvent sanctions).\u00a0The European Commission\u2019s Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade) has already openly drawn attention to Kyiv\u2019s passivity in protecting its economic perimeter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe European Commission warns:\u00a0if Ukraine does not start strictly protecting its domestic market,\u00a0it will turn into a gray zone for subsidized products from third countries.\u00a0It is imperative to immediately adapt national trade remedy instruments to wartime realities.\u00a0Otherwise,\u00a0during reconstruction,\u00a0billions of dollars will fund foreign factories instead of supporting the domestic steel and mining sector,\u00a0which forms the bedrock of the country<\/em>\u2019<\/em>s defense capabilities,\u201d<\/em> Oleksandr Kalenkov emphasized.<\/p>\n The CBAM Trap and Protection of the Domestic Cement Market<\/strong><\/p>\n Liudmyla Kripka<\/strong>,\u00a0Executive Director of the Ukrcement Association,\u00a0stated that the second phase of the EU\u2019s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has effectively turned into an economic embargo on Ukrainian exports due to discriminatory default CO2 emission values and the requirement for physical visits by verifiers under wartime conditions.\u00a0Thanks to the joint advocacy of the business community and Ukraine\u2019s Trade Representative Taras Kachka, restrictions for bordering countries were partially eased.<\/p>\n \u201cAgainst the backdrop of Brussels requirements blocking logistics,\u00a0national anti-dumping duties remain the only effective defense.\u00a0They do not halt imports,\u00a0but rather compel foreign players to play by the rules while directing funds to the state budget to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine,\u201d<\/em> Liudmyla Kripka noted.<\/p>\n The speaker opposed replacing active duties on imports from Moldova and Turkey with “price undertakings<\/em>” by importers,\u00a0as these lack oversight mechanisms and drain funds from the country.\u00a0Anti-dumping measures,\u00a0by contrast, level the playing field and allow Ukrainian plants to sustain domestic investments during the war.<\/p>\n Job Protection and Investments in the Steel and Mining Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n Serg<\/strong>e<\/strong>y Lavr<\/strong>i<\/strong>nenko<\/strong>,\u00a0General Director of PJSC \u201c<\/em>Stalkanat\u201d<\/em>,\u00a0stressed that under conditions of global steel overproduction,\u00a0protecting Ukraine\u2019s domestic market is a matter of survival for the industry.\u00a0An effective state protectionist policy should incentivize the establishment of new local manufacturing facilities capable of displacing imports.\u00a0However,\u00a0domestic processors currently face a technological lag in the raw material base.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are ready to invest in modernization,\u00a0but today Ukrainian steel mills are unable to provide processors with raw materials of appropriate quality for high-tech products\u2014we lose to foreign competitors both in price and specifications.<\/em> When introducing anti-dumping instruments,\u00a0the state must conduct thorough public interest investigations.\u00a0We need balanced trade defense that protects jobs at every stage of the supply chain,\u201d<\/em> Sergey Lavrinenko highlighted.<\/p>\n Imports of Goods Made from Russian Raw Materials via Third Countries and Business Risks<\/strong><\/p>\n Sergey<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Povazhniuk<\/strong>, Deputy Director for Development at Ukrainian Industry Expertise,\u00a0presented analysis regarding goods manufactured in the PRC and Turkey from cheap Russian raw materials (sold at up to a 20% discount) and supplied to Ukraine with a 10-15% lower cost of production,\u00a0displacing local businesses.\u00a0Another threat is the massive expansion from the PRC due to overcapacity in China\u2019s cement and steel sectors following the end of its domestic infrastructure boom.<\/p>\n \u201cSince there are virtually no other functioning business defense mechanisms except anti-dumping measures within the Interagency Commission on International Trade (ICIT),\u00a0it is critically important for us to establish a state import monitoring system.\u00a0Together with specialized legal advisors,\u00a0this will allow us to timely detect and swiftly block products with a Russian raw material footprint entering via third countries before the injury to the domestic industry becomes irreversible,\u201d<\/em> Sergey<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Povazhniuk<\/strong> noted.<\/p>\n Implementation of the New Customs Code in 2027<\/strong><\/p>\n Vladyslav Suvorov<\/strong>, Deputy Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, presented the legislative reform.\u00a0The Cabinet of Ministers is drafting a new Customs Code that fully implements EU regulations.\u00a0The draft received a positive assessment from the European Commission and will be submitted to parliament by the end of May 2026.<\/p>\n The reform requires the harmonization of rules,\u00a0capacity building for customs authorities,\u00a0and the development of a vast framework of secondary legislation.\u00a0\u201cTechnical specifications will be drafted,\u00a0and complex digital solutions will be rolled out to synchronize processes with the EU and ensure the operability of European customs rules in Ukraine,\u201d<\/em> Vladyslav Suvorov emphasized.<\/p>\n The new Customs Code of Ukraine,\u00a0which will incorporate the provisions of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and other EU directives,\u00a0is scheduled to enter into force on December 1,\u00a02027.<\/p>\n Balancing Oversight and Support for Importers<\/strong><\/p>\n Halyna Yanchenko<\/strong>,\u00a0Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Head of the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Investors\u2019 Rights Protection,\u00a0emphasized the importance of in-depth analytical market monitoring and utilizing international databases to eliminate illicit import schemes at the border.\u00a0This would level the playing field and steadily boost financial indicators across economic sectors.<\/p>\n \u201cIf illicit schemes are eliminated,\u00a0official import declaration volumes can instantly scale up multiple times over,\u00a0and this positive trend can be sustained continuously,\u201d<\/em> Halyna Yanchenko summarized.<\/p>\n To ensure long-term business security,\u00a0the TSC is championing the adoption of Draft Bill No.\u00a09211 to curb unlawful searches and asset seizures by law enforcement.\u00a0The TSC head identified the next strategic step as launching an automated online data exchange between the State Customs Service and EU customs authorities to prevent document forgery.<\/p>\n The New Import Paradigm: Multi-Jurisdictional Regulation and Business Agility<\/strong><\/p>\n The transformation of international trade structures and supply chains was the focus of the speech by Daria Sarkhosh<\/strong>, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Done.\u00a0Since 2022,\u00a0Ukrainian business has entirely shifted its efficiency paradigm: instead of speed and cost,\u00a0lead-time predictability,\u00a0agile planning,\u00a0and currency risk management have come to the fore. The situation is further complicated by tightened financial compliance and banking monitoring,\u00a0which,\u00a0amid customs delays,\u00a0triggers working capital and cash flow gaps due to funds being frozen in extended transit cycles.\u00a0The market requires alternative asset-based lending and trade finance instruments.<\/p>\n \u201cImporting is a multi-tiered system where logistical,\u00a0customs,\u00a0and currency risks are interdependent.\u00a0A bank delay due to strict compliance disrupts delivery schedules,\u00a0while a customs valuation adjustment immediately creates a cash flow gap.\u00a0Today,\u00a0the main constraint on scaling companies is the ceiling of their own working capital; therefore,\u00a0businesses critically need new,\u00a0flexible trade finance tools,\u201d<\/em> Daria Sarkhosh stated.<\/p>\n The New Global Economic Model: Challenges of Protectionism and Ukraine’s European Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n Olena Omelchenko<\/strong>,\u00a0Partner at Ilyashev & Partners and Head of International Trade Practice,\u00a0observed that the modern world is moving away from classical globalization principles toward aggressive domestic market protection and competition for industrial investments.\u00a0Under these conditions,\u00a0the legal defense of national interests before the Interagency Commission on International Trade and the representation in anti-dumping investigations become vital tools for the survival of large enterprises.<\/p>\n \u201cToday,\u00a0the state and business face a strategic question regarding the formation of Ukraine\u2019s future economic model.<\/em> Trade wars directly impact logistics,\u00a0investments,\u00a0and business operations.\u00a0In the context of war and rising protectionism,\u00a0the issue is much broader than just exporting or importing:\u00a0we are talking about whether Ukraine can preserve its industry at all and adapt to the new rules of world trade.\u00a0The key challenges for domestic producers are readiness for strict European competition rules,\u00a0passing CBAM environmental compliance,\u00a0and the ability to legally protect the domestic market against unfair imports,\u201d<\/em> Olena Omelchenko underlined.<\/p>\n * * *<\/p>\n About the \u201cTrade Wars: Art of<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Protection\u201d Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2018,\u00a0the conference \u201cTrade Wars: Art of<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Protection\u201d<\/strong> has served as an annual platform for discussing key challenges in international trade,\u00a0protecting domestic producers,\u00a0and adapting business to global economic shifts.\u00a0It is organized by Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm in partnership with Yurydychna Praktyka Publishing House.\u00a0In 2026, Done \u2013 a leading logistics operator \u2013 became an official partner of the event,\u00a0joining the organizers to support this large-scale discussion involving representatives of the government,\u00a0parliament,\u00a0business associations,\u00a0and leading experts to shape Ukraine\u2019s economic security strategy.<\/p>\n The 2026 conference partners included:\u00a0European Business Association, Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Ukraine), Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,\u00a0All-Ukrainian Association of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Producers,\u00a0National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine,\u00a0Ukrainian Association of Ferroalloy Producers (UkrFA),\u00a0Ukrainian Corporation \u201cUkrvinprom\u201d,\u00a0Ukrainian Confectionery Industry Association (Ukrkondprom),\u00a0Association of Ukrainian Enterprises \u201cUkrmetallurgprom\u201d,\u00a0Association \u201cUkrcement\u201d,\u00a0and the State Enterprise \u201cUkrainian Industry Expertise\u201d.<\/p>\n Media partners of the event included: Yur\u0443d\u0443chna Praktyka, Ukrainian Law Firms: A Handbook for Foreign Clients (the leading English-language professional directory of the Ukrainian legal market), Interfax-Ukraine, Delo.ua, GMK Center, and Energobusiness.<\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On May 20, 2026, Kyiv hosted the 6th annual \u201cTrade Wars: Art of\u00a0Protection\u201d conference, organized by Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm in collaboration with Done.\u00a0Yurydychna Praktyka Publishing House acted as the general media partner. The country\u2019s main analytical platform in international trade brought together over 100 participants:\u00a0top managers of industrial enterprises,\u00a0officials from the government and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4489,"featured_media":743274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[24,23],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n