Trump Spares Russia in Tariff Blitz Despite Harsh Rhetoric, Raises Eyebrows Globally

Despite threatening new sanctions and expressing anger at Putin, Trump leaves Russia off the sweeping new reciprocal tariffs list, prompting speculation over geopolitical motives.

Washington, April 3:
In a surprising turn of events, Russia was noticeably absent from the sweeping reciprocal tariff list unveiled by US President Donald Trump during his explosive “Liberation Day” announcement. While countries like China, India, the EU, Japan, and even war-torn Ukraine found themselves slapped with tariffs as high as 54%, Russia—despite tense rhetoric and recent threats—was spared.

Also Read: “Ready To Fight”: World Leaders Respond to Trump’s Global Tariff Shock

This decision raised eyebrows globally, especially after Trump had publicly blasted Vladimir Putin, expressing that he was “pissed off” over the Russian President’s remarks questioning the credibility of Ukraine’s leadership.

🔹 Why Was Russia Excluded?

A White House spokesperson told Axios that Russia wasn’t included because existing sanctions had already restricted meaningful trade. However, this explanation didn’t sit well with many critics, given that Russia still trades more with the US than several countries included in the tariff list, such as Mauritius or Brunei.

Also Read: “A Little Tough Love”: Trump’s Tariff Talk Sends Shockwaves Through Global Markets

Notably, Ukraine, a US ally currently battling a Russian invasion, was included in the tariff list, further adding to the controversy.

🔹 Trump’s Past Warnings to Russia

Just last week, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Russian oil and other exports unless a ceasefire was reached in Ukraine. He emphasized “secondary tariffs” if Russia failed to comply. Yet no new duties have materialized—at least not yet.

Also Read: Indian Markets Set for Sharp Drop: 10 Key Triggers From Trump Tariffs to Asian Sell-Off

Analysts suggest that Trump may be leaving room for backchannel diplomacy, hoping to broker a peace deal to end the prolonged war in Eastern Europe.

🔹 Other Surprising Exemptions

Other sanctioned nations like:

Belarus
Cuba
North Korea

were also exempted from the reciprocal tariffs, despite historically frosty ties with the US. Meanwhile:

Iran faced a 10% tariff
Syria was hit with a harsh 40% duty

🔹 Canada and Mexico Also Left Out

Trump’s earlier tariffs on Canada and Mexico—25% on steel and aluminum—remain in place, but no new reciprocal duties were announced for these major trading partners. The administration has clarified that these rates are “already in effect.”

🔹 The Harshest Tariffs

Among those hardest hit:

China: 34% new tariff, totaling 54% with previous ones
India: 26%
Japan: 24%
EU: 20%

China’s inclusion reflects worsening tensions over trade, tech, and fentanyl-related allegations.

🔍 What This Means

While the Trump administration’s rationale for Russia’s exclusion hinges on existing sanctions, the optics of sparing a nation the president recently criticized—while taxing close allies—have sparked criticism and fresh debate over the realpolitik behind Washington’s trade strategy.

With geopolitical tensions already inflamed, all eyes now turn to how Putin and global markets react in the coming days.

🏷️ Tags:
Trump tariffs, Russia trade, Putin Trump tension, US sanctions, reciprocal tariffs 2025, global trade war, India US relations, China US tariffs, Ukraine war, oil sanctions, geopolitical strategy

Misha Bhatia