In April 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new set of tariffs. These tariffs applied to nearly every country trading with the United States.
They aimed to protect American industries and reduce what Trump called “unfair trade practices.” But one detail stood out—Russia and Belarus were not on the list. Many people wondered why two countries under heavy U.S. sanctions were spared.
What Are the Tariffs About?
Trump introduced a 10% baseline tariff on almost all imported goods. For countries that he believed used unfair trade methods, like currency manipulation or state-backed subsidies, the tariffs were even higher.
Over 60 countries faced the extra charges. The goal was to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., protect American jobs, and reduce trade deficits.
However, Russia and Belarus were missing from this list. That raised eyebrows, especially since both countries have faced strong criticism from the U.S. over the war in Ukraine and other issues.
Why Russia and Belarus Were Left Out
Officials from Trump’s team explained their decision. They said the U.S. already had strong sanctions in place against Russia and Belarus.
These sanctions had already stopped most trade between the countries. As a result, there was no need to add new tariffs on top.
For example, U.S. imports from Russia dropped from $36 billion in 2021 to just $3.5 billion in 2024.
Belarus also saw a huge decline in trade with the U.S. These numbers show that the sanctions were already working to reduce economic ties.
Since there is so little trade left, adding new tariffs would not make a big difference.
Instead of using tariffs, the U.S. continues to rely on existing sanctions to pressure both governments.
Is There More Behind the Decision?
Some experts believe the choice was more than just economic.
By not adding more pressure on Russia and Belarus, the U.S. might be leaving space open for future talks or deals.
This could especially matter in situations involving the war in Ukraine or other global issues.
Others believe that including Russia and Belarus in the tariffs could have created confusion, since the current sanctions already block most business.
Adding tariffs could seem like a double penalty or might even weaken the message of the sanctions.
Trump’s team wanted to show strength against trade manipulation while avoiding unnecessary or symbolic moves that wouldn’t change much in reality.
What Does This Mean Going Forward?
Trump’s trade plan shows he still wants to take a hard stance on countries that hurt U.S. businesses. But it also shows a more careful approach when dealing with countries already under pressure.
For now, Russia and Belarus remain under heavy sanctions. That’s what continues to limit their trade with the U.S., not the new tariffs. The decision also shows that even tough policies can include strategy and timing.
By focusing on countries where trade is still strong, the U.S. believes the tariffs will have a bigger impact where it matters most.
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