The ATM mechanism, or “visa-free trade,” was introduced by the European Union on June 4, 2022, to support Ukrainian producers and the economy in conditions when the country is forced to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Poland is abolishing the European Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) mechanism, which allows for duty-free imports of goods from Ukraine. From June 5, 2025, the rules that were in effect before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will apply again. This was announced by the country’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, tvn24 reports.
“When we won the elections, one of our first decisions was to immediately correct the ATM mechanism to introduce some quotas, but this was only the beginning. Later, together with my ministers, I launched a campaign for the EU to abandon the ATM mechanism, which liberalized trade with Ukraine,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that the government wants to help Ukraine in the war with Russia, but this cannot be done at the expense of Polish producers. “And we got it – from June 5, this mechanism will not exist. We are returning to the pre-war situation when it comes to border rules,” Tusk said. He assured that the government will take care of Polish economic interests, even if they “confront” Ukrainian interests. “I have no problem with this, because no one will tell me that I am anti-Ukrainian when it comes to the Ukrainian-Russian war,” the Prime Minister said.
The ATM mechanism, or “visa-free trade,” was introduced by the European Union on June 4, 2022, to support Ukrainian producers and the economy in conditions when the country is forced to defend itself against Russian aggression.
At the same time, the EU has introduced so-called solidarity corridors at land borders to allow Ukraine to continue exporting agricultural products to external markets in the face of Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports.
In 2023, the mechanism was extended for another year.
In 2024, the European Commission proposed introducing quotas for some products to protect the EU market (eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, corn, cereals and honey). On May 13, 2024, the EU approved a “visa-free trade” for Ukraine and extended duty-free and quota-free trade. The updated AZT entered into force on June 6 and will be valid until June 5, 2025.
European farmers have repeatedly protested against this European Commission program, because, in their opinion, Ukrainian products are cheaper and it is difficult for them to compete with them.
