No Tariffs for Russia? The Hidden Story Behind Trump’s Trade Moves

One notable absence from former President Donald Trump’s latest tariff list targeting U.S. trade partners is Russia. According to a report by Axios, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that Russia was excluded due to existing U.S. sanctions, which effectively limit any meaningful trade between the two nations. She also noted that Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea were omitted for similar reasons.

Despite Russia’s exclusion, other nations with minimal trade activity with the United States, such as Syria—which exported only $11 million worth of goods to the U.S. last year, according to UN data cited by Trading Economics—were included in the tariff measures.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow, significantly curbing economic ties. Since returning to office, Trump has adopted a comparatively diplomatic stance toward Russia, emphasizing efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. This week, a high-ranking Russian official is in Washington for talks with Trump’s administration as negotiations continue.

Last month, Trump warned of a potential 50% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil unless President Vladimir Putin agreed to a ceasefire. Russian media, however, have asserted that their country’s omission from the tariff list is purely due to existing sanctions. State-run Rossiya 24 television stated, “No tariffs have been imposed on Russia, but that’s not due to special treatment. It is simply because Western sanctions are already in effect.” Similarly, Rossiya 1 reported that Russia’s exclusion from the list was “to the disappointment of many in the West.”

Russian state-controlled media outlets have also pointed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks to Fox News, in which he affirmed that the U.S. does not trade with Russia or Belarus due to sanctions. Despite these restrictions, U.S. Trade Representative data shows that in 2024, the U.S. still imported $3.5 billion worth of Russian goods, primarily fertilizers, nuclear fuel, and certain metals, as reported by Trading Economics and Russian news sources.

The response from Russian media has ranged from dismissive to derisive. Pro-Kremlin outlet NTV suggested that Trump treats America’s European allies as subservient, describing them as “serfs” who react with “moaning” to U.S. trade policies. Russian defense ministry-run Zvezda TV also mocked the tariff list, highlighting the inclusion of the uninhabited Heard Island and McDonald Islands. “It looks like some penguins will have to pay the 10% tariff,” the network quipped.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been directly impacted by the new trade measures, with a 10% tariff imposed on its exports to the U.S. Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, acknowledged that the tariff would mostly affect small producers and stated that the Ukrainian government is actively working to negotiate improved trade terms.

In 2024, Ukraine exported $874 million worth of goods to the U.S. while importing $3.4 billion in return. Despite the trade imbalance, Svyrydenko emphasized Ukraine’s strategic value to Washington, stating, “Ukraine has much to offer the United States as a reliable ally and partner. Fair tariffs benefit both countries.”

Although trade volumes between Ukraine and the U.S. remain relatively small, American financial and military assistance to Kyiv has been substantial. Trump has argued that the U.S. has spent between $300 billion and $350 billion in support of Ukraine’s war efforts. However, the U.S. Department of Defense provides a more conservative figure, estimating that $182.8 billion has been allocated under Operation Atlantic Resolve. This sum accounts for U.S. military training in Europe, direct aid to Ukraine, and the replenishment of American defense stockpiles.

Ultimately, while Trump’s tariff strategy has placed significant economic pressure on various trade partners, Russia’s exclusion appears to be more a reflection of preexisting sanctions than an intentional exemption. Meanwhile, Ukraine finds itself navigating new trade barriers while continuing to rely on U.S. support in its ongoing conflict with Russia.