U.S. Imposes 27% Tariff on Kazakh Imports
On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump announced new reciprocal tariffs, including a 27% duty on imports from Kazakhstan, as part of a broader trade policy revision. The measure introduces a 10% minimum tariff on most imported goods, with higher rates for countries imposing significant duties on U.S. exports.
“April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed,” Trump said.
Kazakhstan was included alongside India (26%), South Korea (25%), and Japan (24%), while China faces the highest tariff at 34%. Other Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, will be subject to a 10% duty.
Kazakhstan Assesses Economic Impact
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade, 92% of Kazakh exports to the U.S. will remain unaffected, with key commodities such as oil, uranium, silver, and ferroalloys exempt from additional duties. The new tariffs apply to 4.8% of exports, valued at $95.2 million, including phosphorus, ferrosilicon, lenses, wheat gluten, and ammonium nitrate.
Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and the U.S. increased by 4% in 2024, reaching $4.2 billion, with Kazakh exports rising by 30.6%. The Kazakh government is engaging in consultations with U.S. authorities to discuss potential tariff adjustments while reaffirming its adherence to WTO trade principles.
Photo credit: esfera/Shutterstock.
