On 14 May 2026, the Russian Federation notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Safeguards of the initiation, on 07 May 2026, of a safeguard investigation on certain motor car pneumatic tyres, classifiable in tariff subheadings 4011.10.000, 4011.10.000, 4011.20.100, 4011.20.900, 8708.70.500 and 8708.70.990, imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (Union).
The investigation was initiated based on the results of the consideration of the application filed by the Union producers of motor car tyres.
The information in the application indicates that total imports of motor car tyres into the customs territory of the Union increased both in absolute and relative terms. Total imports in absolute terms increased by 64% in the period 2022 to 2024 and by 5% in the first 9 months of 2025 compared with the first 9 months of 2024. The volume of imports relative to the Union production increased by 57% in the period 2022 to 2024 and by 22% in the first 9 months of 2025 compared with the first 9 months of 2024.
The application also provides sufficient evidence demonstrating that increased imports of motor car tyres are threatening to cause serious injury to the Union industry. In particular, from 2022 to 2024, Union consumption volume increased by 38%. In contrast, Union industry’s production and sales volumes increased by only 2% and 15%, respectively – far less than the volume of imports (64%). As a result of the significant increase in imports, the Union industry’s market share declined by 17% from 2022 to 2024. Financial indicators of the Union industry also worsened in the period 2022 to 2024: profit decreased by 6%, and the profitability of production and sales decreased by 33% and by 29%, respectively.
In the first 9 months of 2025, as compared with the first 9 months of 2024, given the reduction in the volume of the Union’s consumption by 9% and the continued increase in imports, the state of the Union industry deteriorated: the volume of production decreased by 15%, the volume of sales decreased by 23%, and the market share decreased by 16%. At the same time, import prices decreased by 4% and undercut the Union industry’s prices. The increase in imports at prices lower than the Union industry’s prices suppressed the Union industry’s prices. Consequently, in the first 9 months of 2025, the financial state of the Union industry deteriorated significantly: profit fell by 72%, and the profitability of production and sales decreased by 71% and 67%, respectively.
The application indicates that the total production capacity of the key countries exporting motor car tyres to the Union significantly exceeds Union consumption. There are also plans to expand tyre production capacity in one of the main countries exporting motor car tyres to the Union. Given the above context and increasing number of trade defence measures taken by third countries on motor car tyres, ongoing anti-dumping and countervailing investigations in the European Union (EU), and the recent measures under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 adopted by the United States of America (US), there is a high likelihood of a further increase in imports of motor car tyres to the Union, and, as a consequence, a further impairment of the industrial, commercial and financial position of the Union industry.
For more details on the reasons for initiating the investigation, please refer to the Notice of Initiation.
What is a safeguard investigation?
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or are threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.
During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to presentations by other parties.
A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.
The Eurasian Economic Union
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international organisation for regional economic integration. It has international legal personality and is established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.
The EAEU provides for the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, and pursues a coordinated, harmonised and single policy in the sectors determined by the Treaty and international agreements within the Union.
The EAEU member states are:
- The Republic of Armenia
- The Republic of Belarus
- The Republic of Kazakhstan,
- The Kyrgyz Republic, and
- The Russian Federation.
The EAEU is being created to upgrade comprehensively, raise the competitiveness of and cooperation between the national economies and promote stable development
More information on the EAEU is accessible at:
