Russians May Be Left Without Cheap Chinese Tires
Russian authorities are considering the possibility of imposing higher tariffs on imports of tires for passenger cars and light trucks. The brunt of the impact may fall on low-cost products from China.
A decision may be made following the completion of an investigation by the Eurasian Economic Commission, which began in May 2026 at the request of major manufacturers from Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. They accuse foreign competitors—primarily Chinese manufacturers—of undercutting tire prices.
Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade states that shipments of Chinese tires to Russia have grown steadily over the past five years. According to the ministry, this is creating problems for local manufacturers: capacity utilization at Russian plants is declining, tax revenues are falling, and employment in the industry is shrinking.
After a number of Western tire companies withdrew from the Russian market in 2022–2023, Chinese imports effectively helped offset the product shortage. An additional factor was the rapid growth in the share of Chinese cars on the Russian market, which are predominantly equipped with tires from China.
At the same time, Russian authorities have already considered restrictions on Chinese tires. Earlier, Roskachestvo announced that carcinogenic substances had been detected in all tested samples of Chinese tires. Following this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed banning the hazardous products.
However, experts warn of the potential negative consequences of such a decision. If cheap tires disappear from the market en masse, car owners may start using worn-out tires for longer periods, which will increase the risk of accidents.
Thus, an attempt to protect Russian manufacturers could lead to higher tire prices for drivers and a reduction in the range of affordable options on the Russian market.
Source: AutoNews
Earlier, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. Senate for approving harsh sanctions against Russia.
The U.S. Senate supported a sweeping bill imposing new sanctions against Russia and Iran. The bill passed with 68 votes in favor and nine against, and will now be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.
