Why Was Russia Excluded from President Donald Trump's New Global Tariff List?
U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced new tariffs on nearly every country in the world, but Russia was notably excluded from this list. Trump revealed plans to impose high additional tariffs on nearly 60 countries, but Russia was not included. This has raised questions about why Russia was left out.
White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt explained, "The sanctions already imposed on Moscow have effectively blocked any meaningful trade, so there is no need to impose new tariffs on Russia." She further added, "Meanwhile, Ukraine, which has been severely affected by the war, will come under a new 10% tariff."
Significantly, Trump has expressed interest in strengthening trade relations with Russia, but U.S.-Russia trade relations have dramatically diminished in recent years. Experts say that Trump's trade policy is not clear enough, and the benefits of trade with Russia are limited compared to larger commercial opportunities with countries like Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Russia's top representative, Kirill Dmitriev, who visited the U.S. for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday. In a Telegram post, he stated, "Anonymous forces are trying to create tension between Washington and Moscow. They are deliberately distorting Russia's position and attempting to block any steps toward dialogue."
This visit comes at a time when the Trump administration is pressuring both Russia and Ukraine for a ceasefire. When announcing the tariffs, Trump said, "There is good cooperation between Russia and Ukraine, and I am eager to stop the war."
Additionally, the announcement of a new 10% tariff on Ukraine reflects the U.S.'s tough stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.
