Why Russia Was Left Out of Trump’s New Tariffs: A Closer Look

Tariffs are back in the spotlight thanks to former President Donald Trump’s proposed economic strategy, especially aimed at tightening trade rules with foreign nations. But while countries like China are getting hit hard with new tariffs, Russia seems to be getting a free pass. Why is that?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Tariffs and Why Do They Matter?

First, a quick refresher: A tariff is basically a tax on goods that come into the country from abroad. Think of it like this—if the U.S. puts a tariff on imported cars, that makes foreign-made cars more expensive, and people may decide to buy American-made cars instead. That way, the U.S. government supports local businesses and jobs.

But it’s not always that simple.

Tariffs can also spark trade wars, where countries respond with their own taxes. This can mess with global supply chains, raise prices for consumers, and even damage relationships with allies.

Trump’s New Tariffs: Who Do They Affect?

In a recent speech in Minnesota, former President Trump shared his plans to slap massive new tariffs on China if he returns to office in 2025. That includes putting a 60% tax on Chinese goods. These are pretty severe measures meant to cut China’s influence in global trade and bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

Trump has also previously talked about setting up a “universal baseline tariff” on nearly every country that trades with the U.S. Just to give you an idea, he’s mentioned a rate of 10%, which would apply across the board.

But interestingly, Trump left Russia out of this list. And that has a lot of people scratching their heads.

Why Is Russia Not on Trump’s Tariff List?

You’d think Russia would be high on the list of countries to face penalties, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the U.S. government openly criticizing Russian aggression. So what’s going on?

The Biden White House has responded to questions about this surprise omission. According to John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, it’s not very complicated.

Kirby explained that Russia doesn’t make or export that many products, especially those that play a big role in U.S. imports. That means there’s not much point in applying broad tariffs against them—they just wouldn’t have a big impact.

Here’s a simple analogy: If someone doesn’t sell lemonade on your street, there’s no reason to boycott their lemonade stand. It doesn’t exist in the first place.

The Numbers Tell the Story

If you look at the data, it makes sense. Russia isn’t a major trading partner for the U.S. In fact:

• Russia accounts for less than 1% of total U.S. imports.
• Most trade between the U.S. and Russia ended after the Ukraine war began.
• The Biden administration and U.S. allies have already placed several sanctions and bans on Russian goods.

So essentially, by the time Trump rolled out his tariff ideas, most of Russia’s trade with the U.S. had already dried up.

Has America Already Sanctioned Russia?

Yes—and pretty heavily too.

The current administration has led a coordinated global effort to limit Russia’s economic power in response to its invasion of Ukraine. This includes:

• Heavy sanctions on financial institutions.
• Restrictions on exporting technology and weapons components.
• Freezing Russian assets held in foreign banks.
• Limited or banned imports of Russian energy like oil and gas.

So in short, Russia may not be on Trump’s tariff list because there’s not much left to sanction via tariffs. The economic toolbox has already been used in other ways.

What Does This Mean for Everyday Americans?

When you hear about tariffs, you might think, “That doesn’t affect me.” But it actually can affect you quite a bit.

Here’s how:

• Higher prices on goods: If tariffs are placed on imported products, stores might raise prices to make up for the extra cost.
• Changes in job markets: Tariffs can help certain industries, like steel or manufacturing, but they can hurt others, like retail or tech.
• Global tensions: Aggressive tariff strategies might strain international relations, impacting things like travel, business investments, or even online shopping.

So even a small change in trade policy can ripple out and touch many areas of your daily life—often in ways you don’t even expect.

Is This a Smart Strategy or a Political Move?

Here’s where opinions start to differ.

Some people believe that Trump is using aggressive trade policies to position himself as the ultimate job-creator—someone who puts “America First.” It plays well with many supporters, especially in states with struggling local industries.

Others argue that such broad tariffs could hurt consumers more than they help, especially if other countries retaliate or if manufacturing doesn’t come roaring back to the U.S.

Still others are curious why Trump chose to single out China while not taking a harder line on Russia, a nation the U.S. has been actively opposing on multiple fronts.

Final Thoughts: Tariffs, Trade, and What’s Coming Next

Whether you support tariffs or not, the key thing to understand is that trade policies are deeply connected to our everyday lives. From the price of your next smartphone to the job market in your hometown, these decisions matter.

Russia being excluded from Trump’s new tariffs isn’t as much about favoritism as it is about effectiveness—there’s simply not a lot left to tax. The Biden administration has already done most of the heavy lifting when it comes to putting economic pressure on Russia.

As we look toward the 2024 election, trade policy will no doubt continue to be a big talking point. The important part is staying informed and understanding not just what decisions are made—but why.

Have thoughts on tariffs or trade? Share your views in the comments below!

And if you found this article helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with friends who may be wondering why Russia isn’t on Trump’s tariff list. Because when it comes to global economics, the more you know, the better prepared you are.

Stay tuned for more simple breakdowns of complex issues—always in a language anyone can understand.

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