United States President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a ten percent duty on Ukrainian goods. The decision, which is set to come into effect on 9 April 2025, has drawn criticism for its implications on trade and its apparent favouritism towards Russia, which remains exempt from the tariffs.
The announcement was made through the official White House account on social network X. Alongside Ukraine, other nations facing increased tariffs include China, with a staggering thirty four percent duty, the European Union at twenty percent, and the United Kingdom at twenty percent. Meanwhile, Trump has also revealed that a sweeping twenty five percent duty will be applied to all foreign-manufactured cars, a measure that is expected to hit global automobile exporters hard.
| Country | Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | 10% |
| China | 34% |
| European Union | 20% |
| United Kingdom | 20% |
| All Foreign Cars | 25% |
Criticism has mounted over the apparent exclusion of Russia from the list of affected countries, leading to speculation about the motivations behind Trump’s trade policies. While Washington has historically maintained a firm stance against Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine, this latest move raises questions over whether Trump is taking a softer approach towards the Kremlin.
Trade experts warn that these tariffs could have significant economic consequences for Ukraine, which is already engaged in a costly defensive war against Russia. The additional financial burden could make Ukrainian exports less competitive in the American market, further straining the war-torn nation’s economy.
