Russia Proposes Replacing Its Beef Tariff Rate Quotas

The Russian government in November 2020 approved a proposal to replace its tariff rate quotas on imported beef with a flat rate tariff of 27.5%, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report Feb. 1. The proposal now awaits approval by the Eurasian Economic Commission, and, if approved, would enter into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. High-quality beef would remain unaffected as it is currently not subject to quotas. The U.S. has not had market access in Russia for its beef exports since 2014 when Moscow banned U.S. agriculture and livestock exports in apparent retaliation for the U.S.'s stance on Russia's support for Ukrainian rebels (see 1412230061). Prior to 2014, U.S. beef exports operated under a 15% tariff rate, and if Russia decides to lift its ban on American beef in 2022, that rate will apply to high-quality beef, but all other beef exports would be subjected to the 27.5% flat rate.