On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced the introduction of customs duties on goods imported to the USA. The rates are varied, for example, 34 percent additional duties have been applied to China, and 20 % on the European Union. He surprises that the list is affected by the war with Ukraine, which was covered by a 10 % duty, and there is no Russia on it. How does the White House explain it?
President Donald Trump He announced the duties on Wednesday, stating: “Our country was plundered, plundered, raped and robbed by other countries.”
In the summary of the decisions taken by President Donald Trump, at midnight on April 5, the basic 10 % customs rate for products imported from all countries will enter into force, and on April 9 – for you with which the US have the largest trade deficits. This group includes China and European Unionwhich will be covered by 34 percent respectively. and 20 percent Additional customs.
There are no duties because there are sanctions
On the list of 180 countries covered by the basic rate is Ukrainebut there is no one among them Russia. Why? According to a commentary given to the reporter “Notus” Jasmine Wright, Russia “is not on this list, because the sanctions from the war in Ukraine have already caused that trade between these two countries fell to zero.”
Interestingly, according to “Newsweek”, Belarus, Kuba and North Koreai.e. other countries covered by US sanctions, were also not covered by duties.
Marek Wałkuski, a correspondent of the Polish Radio in the White House, also pointed out the lack of Russia on the list of countries affected by customs. He wrote: “Representatives of the White House could not explain why”. However, after less than an hour he added that “he obtained confirmation such as the reporter 'Notus'”.
As “Newsweek” notes at the same time Iran and Syria, also covered by serious embargoes and sanctions, were burdened with additional duties on Wednesday, respectively 10 and 40 percent.
Sanctions imposed on Russia
“Newsweek” reminds that Russia is seeking to abolish Western sanctions imposed for the invasion of Ukraine, which caused significant losses to its economy. The European Union described its extensive sanctions against Russia as “huge and unprecedented”.
During the administration of the president Joe Biden, United States They imposed a wide range of sanctions to 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.
The fight for subsequent sanctions in the American Senate
According to Newsweek, there is a two -party in the American Senate (both Democrats and Republicans are behind it) a bill that would impose new basic and secondary sanctions on Russia and entities supporting Putin's aggression, if Moscow is not involved in peace conversations or undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine.
In the face of fear that Trump's administration will provide Moscow in peace negotiations, a bill, reported by 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats, indicates a supreme consensus against Putin's aggression.
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 apply “secondary duties” to countries that buy oil 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.
Source of the main photo: Jim LO SCALZO/EPA/PAP