Published
07/25/2025, 14:58While the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union strive to expand their foreign economic relations and conclude free trade agreements, the global trade environment is increasingly shaped by barriers and restrictions. The updated register of restrictive measures imposed by third parties, published by the Eurasian Economic Commission, has become a telling indicator: 271 active barriers are currently hindering the free movement of goods from EAEU countries — from Kyrgyzstan to Armenia.
The document provides a detailed mapping of trade barriers imposed on the Union by partner countries — ranging from India and Iran to the United States and Uzbekistan. These measures vary from overtly protectionist to bureaucratically opaque.
One of the most aggressive instruments of pressure remains anti-dumping measures. The United States alone applies such measures against silicomanganese, steel rebar, and wire rod — imposing duties that have been in place for decades. For example, restrictions on steel rebar have been in effect since 2001 and have been extended until the end of 2029.
India is not far behind, conducting anti-dumping investigations on a range of chemical and industrial goods, including butyl rubber, acetonitrile, and polyvinyl chloride. These actions automatically complicate the access of EAEU products to the South Asian market.
Uzbekistan, despite its current observer status with the EAEU, still maintains opaque and prolonged procedures for obtaining certificates of conformity for the import of household appliances. This constitutes a “soft” restriction, yet it is just as effective as a direct ban.
Serbia, despite having a free trade agreement with the EAEU, imposes strict technical requirements on pharmaceuticals from Union member states, including the mandatory presence of an EU GMP certificate. This forces producers to choose between adapting to European standards or abandoning entry into the Balkan market altogether.
Until recently, Iran had blocked the import of confectionery products from third countries, including the EAEU. However, following the entry into force of the full-scale free trade agreement with the EAEU on May 15, 2025, this restriction was officially lifted. Under the terms of the agreement, both parties agreed to abandon the use of quotas and licenses for imports and exports.
Australia continues to impose tariff and quantitative restrictions on a wide range of products — from fuel to food industry goods. These measures are generally not publicly advertised but are consistently recorded in the Commission’s registry.
Since the end of 2024, China has been conducting a special safeguard investigation into beef imports from the EAEU, covering both chilled and frozen meat in carcasses, half-carcasses, and cuts. The basis for initiating this procedure, which China officially notified to the WTO, was a sharp increase in import volumes and a decline in the economic performance of domestic producers.
The interested parties — nine industry associations led by the China Animal Husbandry Association — submitted data to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) indicating a decline in market share, sales, and profits, as well as an increase in inventories and a drop in prices in the domestic market. According to Chinese data, the import share of total consumption rose from 20.55% in 2019 to nearly 31% in the first half of 2024, while pre-tax profits in the meat processing sector fell from 279.9 billion yuan in 2022 to 22.5 billion yuan in the first half of 2024.
As a result, an investigation was initiated on December 27, 2024, during which China may impose restrictive measures, including increased tariffs or quotas.
As emphasized by the EEC, monitoring is conducted on a regular basis in accordance with the EAEU Treaty and the cooperation procedure approved in 2018. Its purpose is not only to identify barriers but also to develop mechanisms for their removal within the framework of trade and economic negotiations.
The register of restrictive measures serves as a mirror in which the EAEU can assess its position in global trade. The greater the number of such measures, the more significant the Union becomes as an independent player, but this also entails greater responsibility for defending the interests of its members.
