Trump Imposed Tariffs On Russia For The First Time

Russia was placed in the 12.5% category.

Donald Trump has launched a second trade war against the entire world following his defeat in the first one at the hands of his own Supreme Court. Starting Friday, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 10–12.5% on imports from 60 countries, and for the first time during the tariff wars of Trump’s second term, Russia was targeted, according to BBC.

The new tariffs replaced the previous temporary ones, which, in turn, had replaced Trump’s original “retaliatory” tariffs—which had been struck down by the Supreme Court—and which he had announced with great fanfare as “America’s Liberation Day” upon returning to the White House for his second term last spring.

Trump ultimately reduced or canceled most of those tariffs because both America’s main rival—China—and its allies—Canada, Europe, and Mexico—had their own retaliatory measures.

And then it turned out that he didn’t even have the authority to impose them. U.S. courts, all the way up to the Supreme Court, ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority. Only Congress has the authority to impose taxes in the U.S., and import duties are, in fact, a tax on American consumers of foreign goods.

After losing the case, Trump immediately imposed a 10% tariff on all imports under the pretext of a balance-of-payments emergency. There appeared to be no legal basis for such a blanket assault on trading partners, so a lawsuit was immediately filed against the White House. But Trump wasn’t concerned, since by law these new tariffs can only be imposed for 150 days, and any legal battle takes longer.

And so they expired on July 24. Trump replaced them with new ones—under the pretext of protecting workers around the world.

Russia on the list for the first time

U.S. laws allow for restrictions on trade with countries that do not actively combat slavery and forced labor.

Trump ordered an investigation, which his officials carried out. Based on the findings, they recommended that the president impose a 12.5% tariff on countries that have no laws against forced labor at all.

For the rest—including the European Union, Canada, and Mexico—he proposed a 10% tariff simply because they do not enforce their existing prohibitions “strictly enough.” And that is exactly what Trump did.

Russia fell into the 12.5% category. It was not on the original list of “Liberation Day” tariffs, even though the list included uninhabited islands off the coast of Antarctica populated by penguins. As the White House explained at the time, the U.S. has no significant trade with Russia due to existing sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine and persecution of the opposition, so tariffs are unnecessary. Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea also found themselves in this same “outcast” category.

Now, however, Russia is on the list—albeit with the same exceptions that apply to everyone else.

There are many of them—the list took up 55 pages. Since Trump is constantly concluding, terminating, and revising deals with trading partners, within the web of the tariff grid woven under various pretexts, some tariffs are piled on top of others, and with every new Trump executive order, an addendum listing the exceptions must be drafted.

Economists have shown that the burden of tariffs falls on American consumers and businesses, as it drives up the prices of goods and components. And instead of the revival of American industry and the enhancement of America’s global standing that Trump promised, the tariff wars have led to the opposite: job losses in manufacturing, deteriorating relations with allies, and a loss of global standing.

With each new tariff war launched by Trump, the world reacts with increasing apathy and resignation.

This time, reactions followed immediately, as everyone was prepared—a U.S. court barred Trump from imposing tariffs via a late-night tweet, and he is now proceeding through a lengthy legal process with a predictable outcome.

The Chinese reiterated that they oppose unilateral tariffs and support free trade; the French once again promised not to back down and to defend their interests; while the British—the Americans’ main allies—thanked Trump for recognizing their efforts in combating forced labor and for eliminating the tariff on whiskey.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com