USTR exempts Russia from Section 301 tariffs hitting 185 nations

On Apr. 2, 2025 President Donald J. Trump announced 10 percent “reciprocal” tariffs on imports from 185 countries, temporarily paused, with Russia excluded (Atlantic Council analysis).

Using his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), President Trump imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on all countries effective Apr. 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT (White House fact sheet).

A bipartisan Senate bill drafted by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) would impose “not less than” 500 percent tariffs on any country that knowingly buys, sells, transfers or supplies Russian oil, uranium, natural gas, petroleum or petrochemical products, in addition to existing antidumping and antisubsidy duties, until Russia enters a peace agreement with Ukraine (Euronews Senate bill analysis).

U.S. trade with Russia fell from $35 billion in 2021 to $3.5 billion in 2024 following sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Newsweek tariff analysis).

The U.S. Court of International Trade’s three-judge panel ruled on May 28, 2025 that President Trump exceeded his authority in imposing comprehensive tariffs and permanently enjoined their operation (Washington Post).

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett explained that Russia’s exemption from the reciprocal tariffs was justified by “ongoing negotiations” on a Russia–Ukraine peace agreement, while Ukraine itself remained subject to the 10 percent tariff (Newsweek tariff analysis).