Putin is not on the Trump list. His advisor gave the plaintiff

Negotiations with Russia and Ukraine are underway and I think that the president decided not to combine these two issues – said on Sunday the economic advisor of the US President Kevin Hassett, explaining why Russia was not covered by any new American duties. At the same time, Ukraine is on the list of countries covered by the 10 % customs.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a minimum 10 % duties rate for goods imported to the USA. In the case of countries with which the US have the largest trade deficits, the rates are higher. In this group there are, among others, China and the European Union, which will be covered by 34- and 20 % additional customs. Ukraine is on the list of 180 countries covered by the basic rate, but there is no one among them Russia.

Why was Russia not covered by the duties?

The economic advisor of US President Kevin Hassett said on Sunday in an interview with ABC News that Russia was not covered by any new American duties, “because it is during peace conversations”.

– Negotiations with Russia and Ukraine are underway and I think that the president has decided not to combine these two issues. This does not mean that Russia, in the full sense of the word, will be treated completely differently than any other country, but Russia is one of the few countries that is not subject to this new tamal – said Hasset.

In his opinion, “negotiations affect thousands of lives and this is what US President Donald Trump is now on.” Hassett said that the US “does not want to complicate negotiations with additional trade issues, because it could negatively affect the whole process.”

What about American sanctions for Russia

During the administration of President Joe Biden, the United States imposed a wide range of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, interference in foreign elections, cyber attacks and breaking human rights. These funds are directed against the key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finances, defense and technology. The main Russian banks were cut off from the global financial system, the assets of Russian oligarchs were frozen, and export controls limited access to key technologies.

Sanctions also focused on people close to the president Vladimir Putinaiming at putting pressure on the Kremlin by isolating its political and economic elite. Working with allies in Europe and Asia, the United States has expanded these sanctions since 2022, trying to weaken Russia's ability to finance war efforts, while supporting Ukraine through military and financial assistance.

Now “Newsweek” reports that a bill has appeared in the American Senate, which would impose new basic and secondary sanctions on Russia and entities supporting Putin's aggression, if Moscow does not get involved in peace conversations or undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine. The project was submitted by 25 democrats and 25 Republicans. The Act includes the imposition of 500 % duties on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products.

On Sunday, Trump also promised to impose duties on countries that buy pus from Russia if Moscow disagrees with the suspension of weapons in Ukraine. The proposed duties, which range from 25 to 50 percent, would not be directly aimed at Russia, but would punish other countries that continue trading with it.