Problems and Ways of Russia’s Access to Non-CIS Countries Product Markets

The article examines factors and problems of Russia’s access to non-CIS countries product markets (by the example of E7 countries). General factors including WTO membership, granting most-favored-nation treatment, providing market economy status and membership in integration blocs (or preferential trade agreements), are considered more or less favorable. Unlike unfriendly countries, in case of non-CIS countries there have been no fundamental changes in general factors after 2022 – no open discrimination against Russia takes place, but some problems exist. Factors of the first order that are directly related to foreign trade policy, are outlined. Tariff and non-tariff barriers for Russia’s access to E7 countries different groups of markets (agricultural products, fuels and mining products, hightechnology products) are revealed, comparative analysis with G7 countries is conducted. Practice of liberalizing tariff measures in E7 countries is monitored, conclusion on its more frequent nature than in G7 counties is made. Problem of tariff peaks is outlined, which is more acute than in unfriendly countries. Different types of non-tariff barriers on E7 countries markets are revealed and calculated, including administrative, quantitative restrictions, trade remedies, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Features of these non-tariff barriers application in comparison to G7 countries are demonstrated. Intensity of non-tariff barriers against Russia (number of non-tariff barriers per one billion dollars of Russian exports to a particular country) for E7 countries is estimated, which is twice higher than for G7 countries. Factors of the second order related to other types of economic policy (besides foreign trade policy), including industrial policy, protection of the environment, are analyzed by the example of China. They are considered more favorable than in unfriendly countries, but cause certain concerns in the future. Possible ways to improve Russia’s access to non-CIS countries markets are suggested, including using WTO instruments. The most important way is considered acceleration in conclusion of preferential trade agreements, where Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union lag far behind non-CIS countries, especially unfriendly ones.