Czech Farmers Head New EU Border Protests Against Ukraine and Latin American Trade Deals

Ukrainian Exports Aren’t the Problem, EU Policies Are, Analyst Says

According to economist Oleg Nivievskyi, Ukrainian agricultural imports are not to blame for the struggles of EU farmers. Instead, he argues that the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is what hampers competitiveness within the sector. “I wouldn’t call it communism,” he said, “but it’s definitely central planning.”

EU-Ukraine Trade: A Contentious Issue

The debate over Ukrainian imports comes at a critical moment. The EU’s Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs)—which have allowed Ukrainian goods to enter the bloc tariff-free—are set to expire in June. The European Commission now faces a difficult challenge: how to support Ukraine’s war-torn economy without triggering further political unrest, particularly in Eastern European countries where farmers are protesting against cheap imports.

The situation is further complicated by developments in the United States. Former President Donald Trump, a leading contender in the upcoming presidential election, has signaled a willingness to push for an end to the war—even if that means Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. This has heightened concerns in Kyiv over maintaining access to EU markets, with Ukrainian officials warning that losing preferential trade status could hurt their country’s fragile economic recovery and its ambitions for EU membership.

Nivievskyi believes the ongoing trade discussions could negatively impact Ukraine’s accession talks. “I hope the European Commission mediates this process carefully, as it must balance different positions among member states and turn them into policy. But it’s clear that some governments may use trade disputes as leverage,” he warned.

Brussels Seeks a Middle Ground

Despite these concerns, EU leaders remain committed to supporting Ukraine. During a recent visit to Kyiv, European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič pledged a smooth transition once the ATMs expire.

“We remain fully committed to swift implementation of mutual trade liberalization,” Šefčovič told Interfax. However, he acknowledged the challenges involved, noting that “this will be a delicate task given the sensitivity of certain products in the markets of our member states and, of course, the concerns of our farmers.”

For now, the European Commission appears determined to navigate this delicate balancing act—ensuring continued economic support for Ukraine while addressing growing tensions within the EU farming sector.

*This article has been updated to reflect ongoing farmer protests.*