Ukraine Seeks Free Trade Agreement With the United States
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally proposed launching negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, according to Ukrainian officials.
Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative, said on May 20 that President Zelensky recently sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump outlining the proposal and highlighting opportunities for deeper cooperation in economic development and the defense industry.
While the exact date of the letter was not disclosed, Zelensky reportedly discussed the proposal during his recent meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican over the weekend.
“A free trade agreement is the next step in our dialogue with the United States,” Kachka said. “We already have similar agreements with the UK, Canada, and the European Union. Now, Ukraine is looking to sign one with the U.S. and Japan.”
Kachka noted that Zelensky’s goal is to secure FTAs with all G7 nations. He added that recent developments—such as the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement and the creation of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund—could serve as a foundation for launching formal FTA talks.
“We believe the U.S. may be open to this idea, but we’re not rushing. The journey has just begun—we’re still at the starting line,” Kachka said.
As of 2024, the United States is Ukraine’s fourth-largest trading partner, behind China, Poland, and Germany, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC). Preliminary discussions around the concept of a U.S.-Ukraine free trade zone began in 2021.
In October 2023, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reaffirmed Kyiv’s intention to expand bilateral trade and secure a deal covering “all goods, with only a few necessary exceptions.”
In the past year, Ukraine exported approximately $874 million worth of goods to the U.S. while importing around $3.4 billion—resulting in a U.S. trade surplus. However, Ukrainian exports to the U.S. remain subject to a 10% tariff implemented by President Trump in April, with some metal products still under a preexisting 25% tariff.
On May 19, Trump said Ukraine stands to “benefit tremendously, especially in the reconstruction process,” if trade with the U.S. increases. He has previously suggested that strengthening Ukraine’s economic ties with the U.S. could serve as a form of long-term security assurance.
Free trade agreements are designed to reduce or eliminate trade barriers—including tariffs, quotas, and non-tariff regulations—in order to boost commerce and investment between member countries.
(Sources: Kyiv Independent, Interfax-Ukraine)
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