The announcement of the new US commercial tariffs, made on Wednesday (2), included almost all business partners in the country. However, three relevant economies – Canada, Mexico and Russia – were left out of the list. Below, the reasons officially pointed out and the data available on each case:
According to the White House, Canada and Mexico were excluded from the new 10% base tariff due to the validity of the USMCA trade agreement, which provides for preferential treatment for goods that meet the criteria of origin. Still, products such as cars, steel and aluminum continue to subject to specific rates already applied previously.
In addition, 25% tariffs remain in force previously imposed by the Trump administration to products of these countries, linked to executive orders related to combating fentanyl trafficking and irregular migration. According to an official newsletter, if these orders are closed, goods not compatible with the USMC will have 12%tariff.
Russia is left out for existing sanctions, says House White
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, told Axios that Russia has been excluded from the new round of tariffs because economic sanctions already applied by the US “preclude any significant trade.” The value of trade between the two countries fell from about $ 35 billion by 2021 to $ 3.5 billion by 2024, according to official data.
The justification includes the existence of previous tariffs and restrictions, similar to those already applying to countries such as Cuba, North Korea and Belarus, which were also out of the current list.
Despite the official justification, Russia continues to maintain commercial flow with the United States higher than that of countries listed for new tariffs. in the new tariff policy with a 10%rate. The same happened with Norfolk Island, another Australian territory listed with a 29%tariff, denied any significant exports to the US:
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According to The GuardianVladimir Putin’s investment emissary, Kirill Dmitiev, visited Washington on Wednesday and met with US officials before Trump’s announcement. Already Ukraine, which is still at war with the Russians, was included in the new tariff policy with a 10%rate.
(com The Guardian e Axios)
