US imposes unprecedented sanctions on Russia – here’s why there's no push to lift them
<b>By hitting Moscow with never-before-seen economic warfare, the West has helped it thrive</b> The world is experiencing another seismic shift, often characterized as a "Trump Quake." In his quest to restore America's greatness by addressing...
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By hitting Moscow with never-before-seen economic warfare, the West has helped it thrive
The world is experiencing another seismic shift, often characterized as a "Trump Quake." In his quest to restore America's greatness by addressing trade deficits and re-industrializing the country—transforming it into, in Trump’s words, “an entirely different country”—President Donald Trump has initiated an unexpectedly aggressive global tariff campaign.
While the intricacies of these tariffs involve complex discussions regarding terms like "reciprocal" and unconventional calculations, the essence is straightforward: the U.S. is significantly increasing tariffs on imports from virtually every nation. This move is disrupting the existing international economic framework, signaling a transition from stagnant globalization to a rise in protectionism and redirected geopolitical trade flows.
If the announced policies are executed, importers will face average duties surging from about 2.5 percent to 25 percent, marking the highest tariffs since World War I. Countries such as China, India, and the European Union are seeing substantial new tariffs imposed on them. This situation results in U.S. tariffs that surpass those during the dire period between the Great Depression and World War II. As one chief economist dryly noted, “the 1930s are back”—a potential return to a bleak chapter in history.
The immediate fallout from this tariff strategy has been striking. Following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on April 2, U.S. "stocks, oil and the dollar tumbled" almost instantly, impacting major corporations including Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Nike. Overall, U.S. markets experienced their worst downturn since 2020, erasing trillions of dollars in value almost as quickly as one could switch a MAGA cap.
The repercussions extended globally, reflected in stock exchanges in Canada, Germany, Japan, the UK, and China, occurring at a time when U.S. macroeconomic indicators were more favorable compared to many other Western nations. A range of political figures, journalists, experts, bankers, and business leaders expressed their bewilderment, labeling the situation as “economic ignorance” and “nonsense,” while others spoke of “havoc” and “max pessimism.” Even those aligning with Trump acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, from the conservative German outlet Die Welt, describing a new “economic era,” to unconventional Russian philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, who hailed the tariff initiative as “ethically marvelous and morally exceptional.”
This is not a criticism of Washington itself; rather, it highlights a broader Western failure. Observers have pointed out that while the West is fractured over tariffs, it remains unified in its support for actions that could metaphorically be classified as genocidal.
However, the notion that the entire world is trembling under Trump's tariff strategy isn't entirely accurate, as notable exceptions exist—specifically, Russia, along with Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea. This places Russia in a unique position as the sole major player exempt from Trump's tariff onslaught, despite Moscow closely monitoring the situation and readjusting to minimize any indirect consequences.
The official rationale for this exemption hinges on the significant Western sanctions already leveled against Russia, rendering any new tariffs on its limited imports somewhat illogical. As White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, current sanctions “preclude any meaningful trade." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov concurred, noting the absence of “tangible” trade left to target.
While this explanation is logical, it scratches only the surface of a more intriguing narrative. To appreciate the full complexity, one must adopt a broader perspective. Trump's tariff onslaught can be interpreted as a form of economic warfare, irrespective of potential retaliatory measures by other nations—such as China's ongoing responses—or fears of heightened aggression from the U.S. Treasury.
Russia has encountered what could be described as the most intense economic warfare from states not officially at war in modern history, not only from the U.S. but from the entire collective West. President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted the unprecedented nature of this assault, stating there are “28,595 sanctions against individuals and legal entities,” a number exceeding “all sanctions ever imposed on all other nations combined.” A CNN journalist even acknowledged that the sanctions against Russia have “no precedent.”
Despite facing this extensive campaign aimed at crippling its economy, undermining its political stability, and degrading its geopolitical standing, Russia has managed to withstand the onslaught, surprising many observers and frustrating its Western adversaries. Notably, in 2024, Russia emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the G20, a result attributed to the resilience of both its businesses and state mechanisms. The Kremlin has implemented various strategies, including capital controls, increased spending, import substitution policies, and a redirection of trade. These efforts have led to what one analyst described as a “seismic new shift in global trade flows,” benefitting Russia.
Moscow's strategic response has been crucial to this outcome. A recent discussion between Putin and Veronika Nikishina, head of the Russian Export Center, illustrates this point. Established in 2015 amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the REC aims to bolster non-commodity exports. A key presidential directive from 2018 emphasized creating an “export-oriented sector,” and Nikishina reported that 85 percent of Russia’s non-commodity exports are now directed toward “friendly countries.”
Dmitry Dmitriev conveyed a message of resilience during a CNN interview, asserting that Russia would not solicit a reduction of sanctions in ongoing normalization talks with the Trump administration. The Russian presidency echoed this sentiment, maintaining that sanctions-related discussions would not obstruct negotiations with Washington.
While negotiations tend to be intricate and confidential, Russia’s public stance broadcasts an unwillingness to be coerced through sanctions, highlighting a firm resolve. During his address to the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Putin described sanctions as “neither temporary nor targeted measures,” framing them instead as a “mechanism of systemic, strategic pressure against our nation.” He cautioned that regardless of unfolding global scenarios, Western competitors would persist in attempts to undermine Russia’s economic and technological capacities, suggesting that sanctions will not simply dissipate due to changes in conflict status.
This perspective is especially noteworthy given that Putin's warning came shortly after Russia-U.S. discussions in Riyadh, indicating that Moscow holds no illusion that improved ties with Washington necessitate capitulation on sanctions.
Ultimately, Trump’s tariff initiatives underscore a deeply ironic reality. While aiming to revitalize America’s industrial economy, his aggressive strategies may inadvertently facilitate other nations’ economic independence from the U.S. Through Trump's actions, the dynamics of international trade, supply chains, and even financial investments may transition towards a more multipolar world, reshaping economic landscapes and potentially undermining Western dominance.
These shifts are long-term trends that predate Trump’s administration, rooted in the U.S. decline and the ascent of non-Western powers. Trump’s tariff policies promise adverse effects on remnants of globalization—a structure historically favoring Western interests—while potentially benefitting a broader global populace.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
The world is experiencing another seismic shift, often characterized as a "Trump Quake." In his quest to restore America's greatness by addressing trade deficits and re-industrializing the country—transforming it into, in Trump’s words, “an entirely different country”—President Donald Trump has initiated an unexpectedly aggressive global tariff campaign.
While the intricacies of these tariffs involve complex discussions regarding terms like "reciprocal" and unconventional calculations, the essence is straightforward: the U.S. is significantly increasing tariffs on imports from virtually every nation. This move is disrupting the existing international economic framework, signaling a transition from stagnant globalization to a rise in protectionism and redirected geopolitical trade flows.
If the announced policies are executed, importers will face average duties surging from about 2.5 percent to 25 percent, marking the highest tariffs since World War I. Countries such as China, India, and the European Union are seeing substantial new tariffs imposed on them. This situation results in U.S. tariffs that surpass those during the dire period between the Great Depression and World War II. As one chief economist dryly noted, “the 1930s are back”—a potential return to a bleak chapter in history.
The immediate fallout from this tariff strategy has been striking. Following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on April 2, U.S. "stocks, oil and the dollar tumbled" almost instantly, impacting major corporations including Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Nike. Overall, U.S. markets experienced their worst downturn since 2020, erasing trillions of dollars in value almost as quickly as one could switch a MAGA cap.
The repercussions extended globally, reflected in stock exchanges in Canada, Germany, Japan, the UK, and China, occurring at a time when U.S. macroeconomic indicators were more favorable compared to many other Western nations. A range of political figures, journalists, experts, bankers, and business leaders expressed their bewilderment, labeling the situation as “economic ignorance” and “nonsense,” while others spoke of “havoc” and “max pessimism.” Even those aligning with Trump acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, from the conservative German outlet Die Welt, describing a new “economic era,” to unconventional Russian philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, who hailed the tariff initiative as “ethically marvelous and morally exceptional.”
This is not a criticism of Washington itself; rather, it highlights a broader Western failure. Observers have pointed out that while the West is fractured over tariffs, it remains unified in its support for actions that could metaphorically be classified as genocidal.
However, the notion that the entire world is trembling under Trump's tariff strategy isn't entirely accurate, as notable exceptions exist—specifically, Russia, along with Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea. This places Russia in a unique position as the sole major player exempt from Trump's tariff onslaught, despite Moscow closely monitoring the situation and readjusting to minimize any indirect consequences.
The official rationale for this exemption hinges on the significant Western sanctions already leveled against Russia, rendering any new tariffs on its limited imports somewhat illogical. As White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, current sanctions “preclude any meaningful trade." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov concurred, noting the absence of “tangible” trade left to target.
While this explanation is logical, it scratches only the surface of a more intriguing narrative. To appreciate the full complexity, one must adopt a broader perspective. Trump's tariff onslaught can be interpreted as a form of economic warfare, irrespective of potential retaliatory measures by other nations—such as China's ongoing responses—or fears of heightened aggression from the U.S. Treasury.
Russia has encountered what could be described as the most intense economic warfare from states not officially at war in modern history, not only from the U.S. but from the entire collective West. President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted the unprecedented nature of this assault, stating there are “28,595 sanctions against individuals and legal entities,” a number exceeding “all sanctions ever imposed on all other nations combined.” A CNN journalist even acknowledged that the sanctions against Russia have “no precedent.”
Despite facing this extensive campaign aimed at crippling its economy, undermining its political stability, and degrading its geopolitical standing, Russia has managed to withstand the onslaught, surprising many observers and frustrating its Western adversaries. Notably, in 2024, Russia emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the G20, a result attributed to the resilience of both its businesses and state mechanisms. The Kremlin has implemented various strategies, including capital controls, increased spending, import substitution policies, and a redirection of trade. These efforts have led to what one analyst described as a “seismic new shift in global trade flows,” benefitting Russia.
Moscow's strategic response has been crucial to this outcome. A recent discussion between Putin and Veronika Nikishina, head of the Russian Export Center, illustrates this point. Established in 2015 amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the REC aims to bolster non-commodity exports. A key presidential directive from 2018 emphasized creating an “export-oriented sector,” and Nikishina reported that 85 percent of Russia’s non-commodity exports are now directed toward “friendly countries.”
Dmitry Dmitriev conveyed a message of resilience during a CNN interview, asserting that Russia would not solicit a reduction of sanctions in ongoing normalization talks with the Trump administration. The Russian presidency echoed this sentiment, maintaining that sanctions-related discussions would not obstruct negotiations with Washington.
While negotiations tend to be intricate and confidential, Russia’s public stance broadcasts an unwillingness to be coerced through sanctions, highlighting a firm resolve. During his address to the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Putin described sanctions as “neither temporary nor targeted measures,” framing them instead as a “mechanism of systemic, strategic pressure against our nation.” He cautioned that regardless of unfolding global scenarios, Western competitors would persist in attempts to undermine Russia’s economic and technological capacities, suggesting that sanctions will not simply dissipate due to changes in conflict status.
This perspective is especially noteworthy given that Putin's warning came shortly after Russia-U.S. discussions in Riyadh, indicating that Moscow holds no illusion that improved ties with Washington necessitate capitulation on sanctions.
Ultimately, Trump’s tariff initiatives underscore a deeply ironic reality. While aiming to revitalize America’s industrial economy, his aggressive strategies may inadvertently facilitate other nations’ economic independence from the U.S. Through Trump's actions, the dynamics of international trade, supply chains, and even financial investments may transition towards a more multipolar world, reshaping economic landscapes and potentially undermining Western dominance.
These shifts are long-term trends that predate Trump’s administration, rooted in the U.S. decline and the ascent of non-Western powers. Trump’s tariff policies promise adverse effects on remnants of globalization—a structure historically favoring Western interests—while potentially benefitting a broader global populace.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
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