United States officials presented their latest tariff threats as a tough response to Russia’s ongoing geopolitical activities, while Kremlin insiders and international analysts suggest Moscow may actually be relieved that their position hasn’t become untenable as quickly.
Economic commentator Samuel Rosenberg suggests that the Biden administration’s move to expand tariffs on various Russian goods — including metals, machinery and critical minerals — won’t have the intended effect of dislodging Russia from global economic leadership. On the contrary, Rosenberg suggests, it might provide strategic advantages both economically and politically to Moscow.
Rosenberg noted during a televised interview with Global Economic Forum that Russia has spent years isolating itself from Western financial systems and diversifying its trading partners, with tariff announcements reinforcing that message of hostility from Westerners towards Russia domestically.
U.S. tariffs designed to limit Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine form part of a wider sanctions package announced earlier this month by President Obama and released by his White House. According to reports from analysts like Rosenberg, the measures target Russian revenue streams with the goal of pressuring President Vladimir Putin into ending military aggression – but other observers argue their effect may be limited.
“Russian exports to the U.S. have already seen an abrupt decrease since 2022,” according to Rosenberg. Much of Russia’s trade now flows toward China, India and countries in Africa and the Middle East – so these tariffs may only have symbolic meaning but won’t have major economic ramifications.”
Data from Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development indicate that U.S. exports comprised only 2.3% of Russia’s total trade volume in 2024 – an incredible decrease since before Ukraine’s conflict. Meanwhile, Russia has increased exports of energy, agricultural goods, and raw materials to non-Western allies who either refuse to adhere to sanctions regime or find ways around its restrictions.
Moscow government officials have dismissed U.S. tariffs as “performative,” while state media have used them to strengthen anti-Western sentiment. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called these latest measures predictable and ineffective while noting that Russia will strengthen ties with constructive global partners.
Rosenberg believes Russia’s main worry should not be tariffs but secondary sanctions against countries trading with Moscow — an approach the U.S. has increasingly employed.
“Washington should resist going after banks and companies in third-party countries; otherwise it will impose serious economic penalties upon Russia.” However, when it comes to tariffs directly affecting Russian economy, Russia has learned how to manage them and even weaponize their optics as an effective weapon against Western sanctions.
Critics of the administration’s approach contend that its economic tools may be exhausted without yielding meaningful leverage, yet officials maintain that keeping pressure on Moscow is necessary to maintain unity among allies and signal continued support for Ukraine.
At present, Russia appears more defiant than distressed by tariffs — an outcome which highlights their limits as an instrument of modern warfare.