'Tough, but not critical'. First reaction of Ukrainian authorities to Trump's tariffs

Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister, assessed the impact of new U.S. tariffs, saying they’re "tough, but not critical" for Ukraine. 

"We’ll face a general 10% tariff—no higher specific rate like Moldova’s 31% or the EU’s 20% applies to us," she said on Facebook. "If it stays as is, the U.S. universal tariff will mainly affect small producers."

She also expressed hope for negotiating better terms with Washington.

In 2024, Ukraine exported $874 million in goods to the U.S., led by pig iron ($363 million) and pipes ($112 million), while importing $3.4 billion from the U.S.—a significant trade imbalance.

Over 600 product categories flow to the U.S., with 65 exceeding $1 million in value.

Meanwhile, Danil Getmantsev, head of Ukraine’s parliamentary finance committee, warned of indirect fallout.

"A global trade war will hit our partners’ economies, especially the EU, slowing them down and cutting aid to us," he said. "Their protectionism, not just against U.S. goods, will hurt us more."

The European Union shares Ukraine’s hope for a deal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lamented Trump’s universal tariffs on global imports, including the EU.

"I agree with President Trump, that others are taking unfair advantage of the current rules," she said. "And I am ready to support any efforts to make the global trading system fit for the realities of the global economy. But I also want to be clear: Reaching for tariffs as your first and last tool will not fix it."