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.
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.
The Trump administration has deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to growing protests over intensified immigration raids, sparking legal challenges and political divisions.
Los Angeles is experiencing widespread protests, a National Guard deployment, and increased public concern following recent immigration enforcement actions and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Southern California Edison’s upgraded wildfire models misjudged the Eaton Canyon fire’s scale by tenfold, raising concerns over its disaster preparedness as the blaze became one of the most destructive in U.S. history.
Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will visit Kazakhstan on 23–24 June 2025 for meetings with senior government officials and business leaders.
Azerbaijan and Kuwait have formalized plans to cooperate in the field of agriculture through a newly approved memorandum.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
Iranian state media reported that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is alive and recovering from serious injuries in hospital.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Tajikistan and China have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, following high-level talks between President Emomali Rahmon and President Xi Jinping in Astana earlier this week.
Tesla has secured a major agreement to build its first grid-scale battery storage station in China, local media outlet Yicai reported Friday.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
A mine collapse in rebel-held eastern DR Congo has left at least 12 people dead, with others managing to escape. The cause of the disaster remains unknown.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will visit Kazakhstan on 23–24 June 2025 for meetings with senior government officials and business leaders.
Azerbaijan and Kuwait have formalized plans to cooperate in the field of agriculture through a newly approved memorandum.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
Iranian state media reported that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is alive and recovering from serious injuries in hospital.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment