President Trump’s new tariffs hit 185 countries, with Kazakhstan facing the highest rate at 27%. Kazakhstan now seeks talks with U.S. officials to ease the impact.
On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on 185 countries, including all Central Asian nations. The most significant tariffs were levied on Kazakhstan, with a retaliatory 27 percent tariff, while other countries in the region face a 10 percent tariff.
The U.S. has justified these tariffs by claiming that Kazakhstan applies tariffs of up to 54% on American goods, though no further details or explanations have been provided on this figure. This has raised questions among Kazakhstani exporters, who are left uncertain about the basis for these claims.
Despite the rising tension over tariffs, the United States is not a major trading partner for the Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan. In 2024, Kazakhstan's exports to the United States amounted to $1.97 billion, primarily in oil, uranium, ferroalloys, and silver. This accounted for just 2.4% of Kazakhstan's total exports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan imported $2.24 billion worth of goods from the United States, representing 3.4% of its total imports.
The introduction of tariffs on Kazakhstani goods may present new economic challenges for the country. Economist Ruslan Sultanov observed that the move underscores the growing breakdown of the global trade system. "The WTO is losing credibility, and the rules of trade are no longer universal; they depend on political will," Sultanov stated. He emphasized that the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Trade would need to engage in intensive negotiations with the U.S. to address the new trade conditions.
Kazakhstan currently has an average customs tariff rate of about 5%, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Ministry of Trade of Kazakhstan has pointed out that 92% of its exports to the United States consist of crude oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, and other raw materials - items which are exempt from the new tariffs under Trump's decree. However, the Ministry noted that the new tariffs will affect approximately 4.8% of Kazakhstan's total exports to the U.S.
While the direct impact on trade volume might appear limited, the broader economic consequences could be more significant. Trump’s decree has already disrupted global markets, with oil pricesvital to Kazakhstan’s economy declining. The potential for inflationary pressure, caused by higher tariffs and price fluctuations, is a significant concern for Kazakhstan’s economy, which relies heavily on oil exports.
In response to the tariffs, Kazakhstan plans to consult with U.S. authorities to explore the possibility of tariff exemptions or reductions. These discussions will be crucial in mitigating any negative impacts on Kazakhstan’s economy.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flig...
Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics has urged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to expand support for legal livel...
Turkish and Armenian leaders reiterated their commitment to normalising relations during a phone call on Tuesday, discussing plans to deepen cooperati...
Environmental ministers and senior officials from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered in Samarkand for the 6th ECO M...
The United Kingdom has begun using SpaceX's Starshield satellite network for military operations, according to people familiar with the matter, markin...
Talks in Malaysia between top diplomats from Russia and the United States were described by the Russian Foreign Ministry as "substantive and frank" with both sides confirming their interest in seeking peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Senior officials from the United States and Georgia met in Tbilisi to review bilateral relations and regional security amid ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Iran has condemned the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations as “meaningless” after Israel’s largest strike on Iranian targets, accusing Washington of backing the attack. The planned sixth round of talks faces uncertainty amid escalating tensions.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger continued to grow over the handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flight diversions, Kuwaiti authorities said.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
Environmental ministers and senior officials from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered in Samarkand for the 6th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Environment, the first such meeting in 12 years.
The United Kingdom has begun using SpaceX's Starshield satellite network for military operations, according to people familiar with the matter, marking one of the first known deployments of the secure government-focused system outside the U.S.
A series of military drones entering the airspace of Finland and the Baltic states has heightened concerns that the war in Ukraine is increasingly affecting NATO’s northern flank. The incidents have triggered security alerts, air defence responses and political fallout across the region.
Protesters chanted “I can’t breathe” and threw bins at police in Southampton on Tuesday (2 June) after footage emerged showing murdered teenager Henry Nowak being arrested as he lay dying from a stab wound.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment