Russia was not included on Donald Trump's list of countries that would impose tariffs on US trade partners. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was quoted by the American publication Axios, the reason for this was that the United States' current sanctions against Russia "preclude any meaningful trade," noting that Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea were also excluded.
However, the list included nations with even less
trade with the United States, such as Syria, which exported $11 million worth
of goods last year, according to UN data cited by Trading Economics. After
Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States imposed extensive
sanctions on it. Since his return to the White House, Trump has generally been
more friendly to Russia. He has prioritized bringing an end to the war, and a
high-ranking Russian official is in Washington this week to meet with his
administration as negotiations for a deal continue.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree
to a ceasefire, Trump indicated that he would impose a tariff of fifty percent
on nations that purchase oil from Russia. Russian media also argued on Thursday
that due to existing sanctions, their nation was not included on the extensive
tariffs list. "Russia has not been subjected to tariffs, but this is not
due to any special treatment. Simply because our nation is already subject to
Western sanctions, "state-run Rossiya 24 TV claims.
Rossiya 1, the channel's sister, says that Russia
isn't on the list "to the disappointment of many in the West." Many
media outlets controlled by the Kremlin have specifically mentioned US Treasury
Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated to Fox News, "We don't trade with
Russia and Belarus." They have been sanctioned. In 2024, the United States
imported goods from Russia worth $3.5 billion (£2.7 billion), according to the
Office of the US Trade Representative.
According to Trading Economics and Russian media,
its primary components were fertilizers, nuclear fuel, and a few metals. The
pro-Kremlin NTV claims that Trump treated America's allies in Europe as
"serfs" who only respond with "moaning" in some of the
Russian coverage. The inclusion of the uninhabited Heard Island and McDonald
Islands on the tariffs list is noted by many, including Zvezda TV, which is
operated by the Russian defense ministry.
Zvezda stated, "Looks like it will be some
penguins who will have to pay the 10% tariff." In the meantime, Ukraine's
exports to the United States are subject to a 10% tariff. Yulia Svyrydenko, the
nation's first deputy prime minister, stated that the new US tariff would
primarily affect small producers. Additionally, she stated, "working to
secure better terms."
According to the deputy prime minister, in 2024,
Ukraine imported $3.4 billion from the United States and exported goods worth
$874 million (£642 million). She went on to say that Ukraine "has much to
offer the United States as a reliable ally and partner." "Both
countries benefit from fair tariffs." The United States of America has
provided significant material support for the war against Russia, despite the
small scale of trade.
While the US Department of Defense stated that
$182.8 billion had been "appropriated" for Operation Atlantic
Resolve, which includes US military training in Europe and replenishment of US
defense stocks, Trump has argued that the US has spent $300 billion to $350
billion on such aid. As part of the talks to end the war, the US has also been
trying to get access to Ukrainian minerals.
