Trade war: Why Russia was excluded from Trump’s tariffs list — Reports

Russia was notably absent from US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff list.

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt explained that the existing sanctions on Russia “preclude any meaningful trade.”

She also pointed out that other countries facing similar sanctions, like Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea, were not included in the tariffs either.

This exclusion is due to the extensive sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Trump has generally maintained a softer stance towards Russia, his administration has prioritised ending the war.

Officials have even visited Washington this week for ongoing negotiations, with Trump threatening a 50% tariff on countries buying Russian oil unless President Putin agrees to a ceasefire.

Russian media outlets, including Rossiya 24 TV, argue that Russia’s absence from the tariff list is simply because of the sanctions already in place. They quoted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying, “Russia and Belarus, we don’t trade with. They’re sanctioned.”

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In 2024, the US imported $3.5 billion worth of goods from Russia, including fertilizers, nuclear fuel, and metals. Although these figures are significant, they are minor compared to broader US trade.

Russian media outlets have mocked the decision, with pro-Kremlin NTV accusing Trump of treating US allies in Europe as “serfs.” Zvezda TV also ridiculed the inclusion of uninhabited places like Heard Island and McDonald Islands on the tariff list, joking that “some penguins will have to pay the 10% tariff.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a 10% tariff on its exports to the US. Ukrainian officials, like First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, expressed concerns that the tariff would hurt small producers. She also emphasized that Ukraine is working to secure better terms, stating that “fair tariffs benefit both countries.”

Despite the small scale of trade, the US has been a significant supporter of Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Trump has claimed that the US has spent between $300-$350 billion on aid, though the Department of Defense reports $182.8 billion allocated for Operation Atlantic Resolve. The US is also negotiating access to Ukrainian minerals as part of ongoing talks.

In short, Russia’s exclusion from the tariff list is mainly due to the existing sanctions that already limit trade between the two nations.

(BBC)