Trump targets Kazakhstan with tariff threat
Trump warns Kazakhstan about tariffs (Photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has warned Kazakhstan about the introduction of a 25% trade tariff on goods if the country does not agree to manufacture products on US soil, according to a letter he sent to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which he posted on the social network Truth Social.
"Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Kazakhstan a Tarrif of only 25% on any and all Kazach products sent into the United States, separated from all Sectoral Tarrifs," the letter states.
It also says that this rate is much lower than what is actually needed to eliminate the trade deficit imbalance between the two countries.
The letter also states that relations between the US and Kazakhstan are far from reciprocal. It notes that the US is no longer willing to tolerate persistent trade deficits in light of Astana’s trade policies and barriers.
According to Trump, the tariffs will not be imposed if Kazakhstan builds factories or produces goods within the US.
He emphasized that the White House will do everything possible to approve such projects quickly, professionally, and in the normal course of business. Notably, similar letters have also been sent to Malaysia, Laos, South Africa, and Myanmar.
Trump’s tariffs
On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs against most of the US trading partners, setting a baseline rate of 10%, with some countries facing rates as high as 50%.
He later suspended the decision until July 9. Previously, he had threatened to impose a new round of tariffs on Japan.
Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea, warning that they would take effect starting August 1.
