Trump Administration Leaves Russia, North Korea and Cuba Off Tariff List

The Trump Administration levied tariffs against almost every global trading partner—including longtime American allies. Notably, Trump gave Russia and other communist nations a pass. 

"The absence of Russia on the president’s new list of tariff-hit countries did not go unnoticed... Critics were quick to accuse Trump of kowtowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin whom Trump has for years expressed his admiration of."

Why Trump Let Russia Off the Hook — And What Americans Think About It 

The Trump Administration justified the decision to exempt Russia from tariffs by arguing that they already face sanctions for invading Ukraine. However, other nations facing sanctions by the U.S. —including Venezuela, Somalia, South Sudan, Iran, and others — were still smacked with tariffs. 

The administration also argued that Russia was exempt from sanctions because existing US sanctions on Russia "preclude any meaningful trade.” However, nations with even less trade with the US - such as Syria, which exported $11m of products last year according to UN data quoted by Trading Economics - were on the list.

The misleading reasoning has caused many Americans to believe that the Trump Administration is cozying up to Russia. 

“Asked why Russia was not on the list... [the administration] said the U.S. doesn’t trade with Russia... However, U.S.-Russia trade still totaled $3.5 billion last year — more than with some smaller countries that were hit with tariffs”​. In other words, critics noted the official explanation “no meaningful trade” was misleading, fueling concerns that Russia was spared for other reasons.

A Reuters poll found that “some 57% of respondents — including one-quarter of Republicans — opposed the new tariffs… Only 39% supported the new tariffs”​

Sanctioned States Avoid Tariffs — But Not for Lack of Trade

Other absentees from the tariff list include North Korea, Cuba, and Belarus — all countries with deep histories of U.S. sanctions. A White House official explained there was “no meaningful trade” with them to target. Yet some critics argue that even symbolic inclusion could have reinforced broader foreign policy stances, especially given these nations’ alignment with authoritarian regimes and antagonism toward U.S. interests.

Critics argued that even nations with minimal U.S. trade should be included to send a message. As one analysis noted, “Clearly, a lack of trade was not an actual consideration... (even) Cuba, Belarus and North Korea were not included (only) because of existing sanctions”