Washington D.C., United States – Amidst a wave of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on several US trade partners, one notably absent country on his list was Russia. The White House disclosed that US sanctions on Russia already limit meaningful trade, leading to its exclusion from the tariffs. Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea were also among the countries omitted from the list due to existing restrictions. Despite having minimal trade with the US, some nations like Syria found themselves subjected to the tariffs.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the US implemented significant sanctions against Russia. Despite this, Trump has favored a more amiable approach towards Russia since his return to office. He has placed a strong emphasis on ending the war, with top Russian officials engaging in discussions in Washington to negotiate a potential ceasefire. Last month, Trump issued a warning of a 50% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil if President Vladimir Putin failed to agree to a ceasefire.
Russian media outlets argued that their country’s exclusion from the tariff list was due to pre-existing sanctions in place. According to state-run Rossiya 24 TV, the absence of tariffs on Russia was not due to special treatment but because of existing Western sanctions. The US Trade Representative’s office revealed that in 2024, the US imported goods worth $3.5 billion from Russia, primarily consisting of fertilizers, nuclear fuel, and various metals.
While the decision to omit Russia from the tariffs was met with disappointment in the West, some Russian media outlets adopted a derisive tone towards the situation. The inclusion of uninhabited territories like Heard Island and McDonald Islands on the tariff list drew mockery from some outlets. Despite the tensions, Ukraine found itself facing a 10% tariff on its exports to the US, impacting mainly small-scale producers.
Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, acknowledged the challenges posed by the new tariffs and emphasized the country’s efforts to negotiate better terms. In 2024, Ukraine exported $874 million worth of goods to the US and imported $3.4 billion from the country. She highlighted Ukraine’s valuable contributions as an ally and partner to the United States, advocating for fair tariffs that benefit both nations. Trump’s administration has allocated significant support to Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, with the US Department of Defense disclosing substantial funds appropriated for this purpose.
