The announcement of reciprocal tariffs on imports from 185 countries by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 2 sent significant waves through the international trading system.
This action, which has since been temporarily paused, highlighted the broader implications of the Trump administration’s tariff policies since taking office, notably creating volatility in global markets, especially in the ongoing trade war with China.
However, one conspicuous absence from Trump’s tariff regime has been Russia, a nation that poses evident threats to U.S. security interests.
President Putin’s aggressive war in Ukraine has sparked a humanitarian crisis, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced individuals, marking Europe’s most serious refugee situation since World War II.
The Russian assault on Ukrainian infrastructure is aggressive and systematic, targeting essential facilities such as hospitals and schools, leading to accusations of war crimes and a terror campaign against Ukraine.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has largely exempted Russia from its tariff measures, attributing this decision to pre-existing sanctions implemented during Biden’s term.
These sanctions have dramatically shrunk U.S.-Russia trade from $35 billion in 2021 to just $3.5 billion last year.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted on April 2 that trade with Russia is severely limited due to these sanctions; however, this overlooks significant imports from Russia, including enriched uranium.
Interestingly, other heavily sanctioned nations like Iran have faced tariffs, yet both North Korea and Cuba have been exempt, despite engaging in diplomatic negotiations similar to those with Russia.
Analysts point out that while U.S.-Russia trade is minimized, it remains higher than that with several countries already subjected to the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Lesotho, for instance, had a trade volume of only $240.1 million yet faced a 50 percent reciprocal tariff, showing a disparity in the administration’s tariff application.
While existing sanctions limit U.S.-Russia trade, there remains potential for further restrictions as the Trump administration could leverage tools to impose additional tariffs.
Current U.S. trade with Russia does not fall entirely under sanctions, with imports inclusive of various goods such as fertilizers worth about $1.3 billion.
U.S. exports also include aircraft parts, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals.
This ongoing trade imbalance favors Russia, as it exports much more to the U.S. than it imports.
Considering the administration’s rationale of reducing trade deficits to justify tariffs, Russia would align with these principles, prompting potential actions to impose reciprocal tariffs.
Furthermore, the Trump administration previously imposed restrictions on trade with nations deemed security threats, exemplified by its aggressive tariff policies toward China.
In 2025, Trump articulated a national emergency concerning U.S. competitiveness, stressing the need to protect national security in light of China’s aggressive trading practices.
Despite being marked as a national security challenge, Russia continues to escape significant economic estrangement from the U.S.
In contrast, Trump’s policies towards Russia appear lenient; he has expressed preferences for improved bilateral relations and relaxed certain restrictions affecting Russian exports.
Russia’s market currently holds limited value compared to other trade partners due to its wartime economy focused primarily on military expenditures.
Key sectors that typically foster trade growth, such as technology and agriculture, remain neglected, representing high-risk areas for Western investment.
Meanwhile, Russia maintains its status as a substantial threat to U.S. security interests, with its invasion of Ukraine challenging both European security and the established international order.
This aggression has also tested U.S. resolve within Western alliances, exemplified by cyberattacks and hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia.
As these aggressive actions in Ukraine persist, they highlight the pressing need for the Trump administration to reassess its stance towards tariffs on Russia.
Given Trump’s inclination to apply economic pressure on countries with lesser bilateral trade volumes and a consistent threat narrative regarding China, a continued lack of tariffs on Russia raises questions regarding the administration’s broader trade agenda.
Implementing reciprocal tariffs on Russia could align with U.S. interests, offering an avenue to curb ongoing threats and further the administration’s objectives in the global trade landscape.
As the geopolitical climate evolves, the Trump administration must confront the implications of maintaining economic relations with Russia in light of its aggressive posturing and security threats to the United States.
image source from：https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/russia-was-spared-from-trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-this-should-change/
