Russia and Belarus are not on US tariff list because America does not trade with these countries - US Minister Bessent
Russia, Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea were not included in the list of countries against which the United States imposed new duties. This is because America does not trade with these countries.
According to Censor.NET, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this on Fox News.
"We do not trade with Russia and Belarus. They are under sanctions," the American official explained.
A White House official explained the seemingly paradoxical situation in the same way, telling The New York Times on condition of anonymity that Cuba, Belarus, North Korea and Russia are not subject to the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 2, because "they already face extremely high tariffs, and our previously imposed sanctions prevent any significant trade with these countries."
Bessent also called on every country concerned about Trump's decision to analyze the new tariffs before reacting sharply.
"My advice to everyone right now is not to retaliate. Sit back and relax. Take this. Let's see how it goes. Because if we retaliate, there will be an escalation," he said.
As a reminder, Trump signed an executive order imposing a minimum 10 percent tariff on almost all goods entering the United States. For some countries, the tariffs are higher. In particular, China - 34%, the European Union - 20%.
