Notably absent from Donald Trump’s recent tariff list targeting US trade partners is Russia. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that this omission is largely due to existing US sanctions which “preclude any meaningful trade.” She also highlighted that other nations, including Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea, were similarly excluded from the list.
Unexpected tariff inclusions
Interestingly, countries with even less trade with the US, such as Syria—whose exports totaled $11 million last year according to UN data—were included in the tariffs. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, the US imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, reflecting a generally cooler diplomatic stance. However, Trump has appeared to adopt a more conciliatory approach toward Russia since assuming office again.
Negotiations and tariffs on Ukraine
As part of his administration’s efforts to end the war, a senior Russian official is currently in Washington for discussions regarding ongoing negotiations. Recently, Trump indicated that he might impose a steep 50% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil, should President Vladimir Putin fail to agree to a ceasefire.
“No tariffs have been imposed on Russia, but that’s not because of some special treatment. It’s simply because Western sanctions are already in place against our country,” stated a report by state-run Rossiya 24 TV.
In contrast, US Trade Representative data reveals that the US imported goods valued at $3.5 billion from Russia in 2024. This trade predominantly involved fertilizers, nuclear fuel, and various metals. Some Russian media outlets, adopting a mocking tone, criticized Trump’s treatment of European allies, with NTV asserting that he views them as “serfs” only capable of complaining.
Adding to the peculiarity of the situation, tariffs have also been applied to uninhabited regions such as Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which prompted Zvezda, a channel linked to Russia’s defense ministry, to quip, “Looks like it’s some penguins who will have to pay the 10% tariff.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a 10% tariff on its exports to the US. Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, noted that this new burden will primarily affect small producers, while the country works diligently to negotiate more favorable terms. In 2024, Ukraine exported goods worth $874 million to the US, while its imports from the US reached $3.4 billion.
“Ukraine has much to offer the United States as a reliable ally and partner,” Svyrydenko expressed. “Fair tariffs benefit both countries.”
Despite the limited trade volume, the US has significantly supported Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia. Trump claims that US contributions have totaled between $300 billion and $350 billion, whereas the Department of Defense reported that $182.8 billion has been allocated for military initiatives, which encompasses training in Europe and replenishment of US defense stockpiles as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.