Political analyst Ihor Reiterovych has raised the issue of the possible signing of a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the United States. The topic, recently revived by Ukraine's president, envisions a zone with zero tariffs as part of a broader economic recovery package for Ukraine.
However, fundamental questions remain about Ukraine's real benefits and the potential obstacles this move could create for EU integration, which remains the country's stated priority.
Reiterovych highlights that global use of free trade agreements is common—around 380 exist worldwide, and Ukraine already participates in 19. But joining the EU would require giving up individual trade agreements, aligning fully with the bloc's collective trade policy.
Current Ukraine-US trade volumes are relatively small—less than one billion dollars per year, with metallurgy, particularly pig iron, dominating Ukrainian exports. Expanding the range of exported goods to the US market would require additional investment and time.
The analyst stresses the need for careful coordination with the EU, as any deal with the US could complicate or delay accession negotiations. It is also unclear if the US would be willing to make tariff exemptions for Ukraine at this time.
Reiterovych concludes that such an agreement should be pursued only as part of a broader recovery arrangement, with all stages harmonized with European partners. Otherwise, the agreement may not bring expected economic advantages and could cause further challenges for Ukraine.
