© Roman Pimenov / TASS
The EU remains Russia's largest trading partner despite economic sanctions and retaliatory measures against Russia after its annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Russia overtook Switzerland last year as the third main source of imports for the European bloc.
The European Commission's annual report on trade barriers said Wednesday that Russia had 36 barriers against the EU, and China a close second with 25 trade barriers.
The six new restrictions imposed by Russia in 2017 include tax discrimination against imported wines and a requirement that only allows Russian-flagged vessels to cross the Arctic coast to transport hydrocarbons and coal.
In a rare visit to Western Europe earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said he had no political interest in dividing the EU, and called the bloc "our most important trading and economic partner."
Comment: Russia, like China, has merely acted in its favor and in reaction to aggressive, baseless and illogical sanctions imposed by Western nations:
- Medvedev gives orders to prepare reciprocal anti-US sanctions similar to those Europe and China made
- Russian central bank boasts of "operational" SWIFT alternative as defense against US sanctions
- Further US sanctions on Russia would be illegal, ineffective and hurt West more
- Anti-Russian sanctions led to increased efficiency, lowering of debt and boon for manufacturing in the country
- Europe ready to defy US economic sanctions on Iran
- Self punishment? EU extends sanctions against Russia without any discussion
Also check out SOTT radio's: The Truth Perspective: Bill Browder, the Magnitsky Act, and anti-Russia Sanctions: Interview with Alex Krainer