Ukraine slapped emergency tariffs of 6.5 to 13 percent on imports of passenger cars on Thursday, citing a slump in domestic vehicle production, a protectionist move certain to irritate trade partners in the European Union and Japan.
The government's commission on international trade said in an official notice that the duties would affect passenger cars with engine capacities of 1,000 to 2,200 cubic centimeters.
The new tariffs — imposed on top of regular 10 percent import duties — will come into effect in 30 days time and remain in place for three years, it said in the notice published in the government's official gazette.
The move seemed certain to enhance Ukraine's growing reputation as the new "bad boy" of the World Trade Organization, which it joined in 2008.
(Reuters)
