Trump strikes Kazakhstan with the largest tariffs in the Central Asian region

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to impose so-called «reciprocal» tariffs on imports from dozens of countries as well as separately on imports from the European Union (EU). According to the table published by the White House on X, Kazakhstan faces a 27% tariff of this kind.

The White House’s post consisted of one sentence: «Liberation Day Reciprocal Tariffs.» The table’s left column shows tariffs that countries allegedly already impose on the U.S., including those related to currency manipulation and trade barriers. The right column presents American retaliatory measures; in several cases, the retaliatory tariffs are applied at a 50% reduction. For the majority of countries and territories, a 10% tariff is set, as it is suggested that they impose duties of the same size on imports from the U.S.

According to White House estimates, Kazakhstan imposes a 54% tariff on American imports; however, no explanation for this statement has been provided.

In 2024, Kazakhstan’s exports to the U.S. reached a record high of $1.97 billion over a decade. The key export goods include oil, uranium (a fivefold increase compared to 2023), ferroalloys and silver. In Kazakhstan’s export pattern, the U.S. accounts for 2.4%, according to Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics. Last year, Kazakhstan’s key export partners were Italy (22.9%), China (18.3%), Russia (11.7%), the Netherlands (6.5%), France (4.5%) and Turkey (4.1%). The U.S., on the other hand, is one of the key sources of Kazakhstan’s imports. In 2024, Kazakhstan acquired goods worth $2.24 billion from the U.S., which accounts for 3.4% of its total imports last year. In percentage terms, this is the fourth-largest share, following Russia (30.5%), China (25.3%) and Germany (4.7%).

The most severe reciprocal measures struck Lesotho and the French Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, imposing a 50% tariff on their exports to the U.S. Among other nations strongly affected are Cambodia (49%), Laos (48%) and Madagascar (47%). The full list includes 184 nations and jurisdictions, with the EU listed separately.

Goods from China will be subject to a 34% tariff, 20% for those from the EU and 10% for items from the U.K. Israel, often referred to by Trump’s administration as one of its main allies — primarily a military one — also made it to the list, with its exports subject to a 17% tariff. However, Canada, previously subject to a 25% tariff and accused of discrimination by the U.S., is not on the list. Russia and Belarus are also absent. A 10% tariff has also been imposed on Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

President Trump announced his decision during a speech in the White House Rose Garden, entitled «Make America Wealthy Again.» He also noted that the countries on the list have the opportunity to eliminate these duties by moving their production to the U.S.

«Again, reciprocal back and forth, back and forth. I call this kind of reciprocal — this is not full reciprocal; this is kind of reciprocal. But what we do is we cut it in half,» Trump said.

During the event, Brian Pannebecker, a retired auto worker, addressed the audience, telling how he «has watched, his entire life, plant after plant after plant in Detroit and the Metro Detroit area close.»

The stock market reacted negatively to Trump’s order. S&P 500 futures dropped by 2% in value, and contracts on the Japanese Nikkei 225 Index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange declined by more than 2% in value.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg noted that Americans would likely face a price hike, pointing to the lack of industrial capacity in the country. They are also concerned about escalation due to retaliatory measures that governments of different nations may take.

The introduction of customs tariffs became one of the signature elements of Trump’s policy. In early February, he announced the imposition of a 20% tariff on imports from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. The president accused all three countries of the illegal trafficking of fentanyl. However, he agreed to grant Canada and Mexico a one-month reprieve. Several weeks later, tariffs on Canadian goods were reinstated. Also, in late March, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports of all cars assembled overseas.