Why Russia Escaped Trump’s Tariffs – And Why It Matters

In April 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly all imports – including “reciprocal tariffs” based on trade imbalances.

Canada, the EU, China, Japan – and even Ukraine – were hit with new duties.

But one country was not on the list: Russia.

Despite an ongoing war in Ukraine and $3.5 billion in US imports last year, the Kremlin was spared. Why?

In this detailed report based on Kyiv Post’s analysis, we explore:

• What Trump’s tariff plan includes
• How much the US still trades with Russia
• Why Russia technically qualifies for a 42% tariff
• The real reasons it might have been excluded – from fertilizers to foreign policy
• A visit from a top Russian official to Washington on “Liberation Day”