U.S. Plans Individual Tariffs Targeting Russia and 14 Other Countries

The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to implement new tariffs on 15 countries, including Russia, with plans set to take effect on April 2, 2025. This information comes from The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources within the White House.

Initially, discussions centered around sector-specific tariffs aimed at key industries, such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor manufacturing. However, recent developments indicate a shift in strategy. Instead of categorizing trading partners into high, medium, and low duty levels, the U.S. intends to adopt a more flexible approach, applying individualized tariff rates tailored to the economic circumstances of each target country.

A senior official, who requested anonymity, revealed that this new strategy aims to address the trade imbalance with nations that contribute significantly to American imports. In early March, President Trump designated April 2 as “American Liberation Day,” pledging to align U.S. tariffs more closely with those of its trading partners.

The list of countries potentially affected includes Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam, Australia, and the European Union. While the list is expected to remain largely unchanged, the final decision is yet to be confirmed. Notably, trade between the United States and Russia reached a record low of $3.5 billion in 2024, the lowest level since 1992, primarily due to ongoing sanctions and restrictions.

The move towards individualized tariffs reflects the Trump administration’s intent to apply economic pressure more precisely, rather than utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach. This strategy is believed to enable the U.S. to more effectively influence the economies of countries with which it maintains significant trade deficits. Despite its relatively modest trade volume with the U.S., Russia remains a focal point due to prevailing political tensions and its critical role in the global energy and raw materials markets. Experts suggest that the upcoming measures could impact the export of metals and chemical products, although specific details are still forthcoming.