Trump Announces 25% Tariff on All Kazakh Imports Effective August 1, 2025

Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on all products imported from Kazakhstan, effective August 1, 2025, according to a letter he posted Monday on his Truth Social platform. The letter, addressed to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has been widely reported by international media outlets.

In the statement, Trump cited a persistent and unbalanced trade relationship with Kazakhstan, stating that the U.S. continues to face a significant trade deficit with the Central Asian country. Despite this, he noted that Washington had made efforts to maintain diplomatic and economic engagement.

“We have had years to discuss our trading relationships with Kazakhstan, and we have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, trade deficit endangered by Kazakhstan’s tariff, and non-tariff policies and trade barriers,” the letter reads. “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal.”

The announced 25% tariff will apply to all Kazakh exports to the United States, separate from existing sector-specific duties. Trump emphasized that the new tariff policy aims to address trade imbalances and encourage fairer trade practices.

However, he offered an exemption pathway, stating, “There will be no tariffs if Kazakhstan companies decide to build or manufacture product within the United States.”

The announcement follows Trump’s earlier declaration of an additional 10% tariff on imports from BRICS countries, signaling a broader shift in his proposed trade policies should he return to office. The newly imposed tariffs have raised concerns among trade analysts and Kazakh officials, with potential implications for bilateral economic relations and Kazakhstan’s export sectors.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Kazakh government regarding the announcement.