Russia Not On Tariff List: What Most People Get Wrong

You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the office chatter. While the U.S. is slapping 10%, 25%, or even 50% tariffs on almost every country from China to Canada, one name is strangely missing from the big "reciprocal" hit lists: Russia.

It feels backward. Honestly, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher if you just look at the news cycle. Why would we be taxing our closest allies while the Kremlin seemingly gets a pass on the new global trade wall?

Well, the reality is a lot messier than a simple "omission." Russia isn't exactly getting a "free trade" deal. In fact, if you’re a business trying to bring in Russian goods right now, you’re likely facing a much tougher wall than a simple 25% tax.

The "Sanctions Preclude Trade" Defense

Basically, the White House and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have been pretty vocal about this. Their logic? You don't need a tariff on a door that’s already been deadbolted, padlocked, and boarded up.

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has systematically dismantled normal trade with Russia. We’re talking about the revocation of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status back in April 2022. That move alone didn't just "not put them on a list"—it punted them into a "Column 2" duty category. This is a specialized, much higher tax bracket reserved for pariah states like North Korea and Cuba.

When people ask why there's russia not on tariff list for the new 2025 and 2026 "reciprocal" duties, the technical answer is that they are already paying "non-MFN" rates. These rates often hit 30%, 50%, or 90% on specific items anyway.

Think about it this way:

• China: Faces heavy Section 301 tariffs but still has basic trade relations.
• Russia: Has lost its "Most Favored Nation" status entirely.
• The Result: Most Russian goods are essentially priced out of the market before a "new" tariff even touches them.

The Enriched Uranium and Fertilizer Loophole

Now, let's get real. If trade was truly zero, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Despite the sanctions, the U.S. still imported about $3.5 billion worth of stuff from Russia in 2024. That’s not a huge number compared to China’s hundreds of billions, but it’s not nothing.

What are we actually buying? Mostly things we think we need.

1. Enriched Uranium: Our nuclear power plants are kind of addicted to Russian fuel.
2. Fertilizers: Potash and phosphates are huge for American farmers.
3. Specific Metals: Think palladium or certain types of platinum used in cars.

The reason you see russia not on tariff list for the newest wave of emergency IEEPA tariffs is often tactical. The administration doesn't want to accidentally spike the price of milk by taxing fertilizer into oblivion or cause a blackout by making nuclear fuel unaffordable overnight.

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It’s a balancing act. It's ugly.

Is it a "Peace Negotiation" Tactic?

There is a louder theory floating around D.C. right now, championed by folks like Kevin Hassett at the National Economic Council. He’s basically said that we shouldn't "conflate" trade wars with shooting wars.

The idea is that if you're trying to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia—which has been a massive focus for the Trump administration since January 2025—you don't want to keep moving the goalposts on trade every Tuesday. By leaving Russia off the new general tariff lists, the U.S. keeps a "carrot" on the table. Or, more accurately, they keep a bigger "stick" (like a 100% oil tariff) in reserve as a threat if the peace talks fail.

The 2026 Enforcement Surge

Don't mistake the lack of a name on a PDF for a lack of pressure. In early 2026, the Department of Justice and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shifted focus. If 2025 was about writing the rules, 2026 is about enforcement.

They are cracking down on "transshipment." That's the fancy word for when Russian timber or steel gets shipped to a third country, gets a new label, and tries to enter the U.S. duty-free. If you're an importer, the "Red Flag" list for Russian-origin goods is longer than it’s ever been.

What This Means for Your Business

If you’re navigating this, you’ve got to stop looking for "Russia" on the standard tariff schedules. You need to be looking at the SDN List (Specially Designated Nationals) and the Entity List.

• Audit your Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers. Even if you aren't buying directly from a Russian firm, if your supplier in Turkey or India is using Russian raw materials, you might be at risk of a seizure or a massive "retroactive" duty.
• Watch the Iran-link tariffs. As of January 2026, the U.S. announced a 25% tariff on any nation "doing business" with Iran. Since Russia and Iran are tight, this creates a "secondary" tariff trap that might catch Russian goods anyway.
• Consult a customs broker specifically on "Column 2" rates. Don't assume the 10% "universal" rate applies to you. For Russian goods, it’s almost always higher.

The "missing" name on the list isn't a loophole. It’s a different kind of trap. Stay sharp on the origin of your goods, because in 2026, the "country of origin" is the most expensive line on your balance sheet.

Practical Next Steps

1. Request "Certificates of Origin" for any metal or chemical imports immediately; don't wait for a CBP audit.
2. Review the January 2026 OFAC General Licenses (like 13P or 115C) to see if your specific niche (like civil nuclear energy) has a temporary "pass" that might expire soon.
3. Check for "Secondary Sanctions" risk if you have banking partners in regions like the UAE or India that handle Russian energy payments.