Kazakhstan is working to minimize the economic damage from newly imposed U.S. tariffs, the highest levied on any Central Asian country. The government is assessing the scope of potential losses and pursuing diplomatic efforts to reverse or reduce the trade measures.
A New Front in the Trade War
On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on imports from over 180 countries. Kazakhstan was subjected to a 27% tariff rate. In contrast, most other post-Soviet countries, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tajikistan, were assigned a 10% tariff, described by the U.S. administration as the “base rate” for countries that “trade fairly” with the United States. Russia and Belarus, whose trade with the U.S. is effectively suspended due to sanctions, were exempt from the increase. Only Moldova, which reportedly imposes a 61% duty on U.S. goods, received a higher rate than Kazakhstan.
According to Washington, Kazakhstan applies a 54% tariff on U.S. imports, prompting a reciprocal response, though the methodology behind the administration’s calculations has been questioned by many analysts. Moldova’s higher rate of 61% led to a 31% U.S. tariff.
Limited Exposure for Key Exports
U.S. President Trump announced a 90-day reprieve for affected countries on April 9, allowing time for negotiations to take place. While the move signals potential flexibility, the economic impact remains uncertain.
Kazakh Trade Ministry representative Serik Ashitov stated on April 29 that only 4.8% of Kazakhstan’s exports to the U.S. would be affected by the tariffs. Crucially, major exports, such as oil, uranium, silver, and ferroalloys stand to remain untouched. These commodities account for approximately 90% of Kazakh shipments to the U.S.
Despite fears of a broader economic fallout, Kazakhstan’s stock market showed resilience in the first quarter of 2025, according to financial news channels. However, the trade conflict has had a deflationary effect on key exports. Oil prices have dropped below projected baselines amid concerns about declining global demand driven by slowing industrial activity, especially in Asia.
“We’re observing falling oil prices and reduced global trade. The tariffs are cutting into industrial output in China and other key consumers of raw materials, which affects oil demand directly,” noted a representative of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. As of late April, Brent crude was trading at approximately $64 per barrel.
Negotiations and Constraints
In response, Kazakhstan has initiated diplomatic talks with the United States and plans to raise the issue at the World Trade Organization (WTO). “At present, there is no reason to believe these measures will significantly affect our exports. Nonetheless, we will continue working with American counterparts to mitigate the consequences of these unilateral measures,” Ashitov said during a press briefing.
However, analysts caution that Kazakhstan may face structural limits in attempting to resolve this dispute. As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kazakhstan does not set its tariff policy independently. “Our customs duties are EAEU duties,” economist Almas Chukin explained. “If we wanted to unilaterally lower tariffs for the U.S., as Israel did, it would require the approval of Minsk, Yerevan, Bishkek, and Moscow”.
Chukin also noted that trade volumes between Kazakhstan and the U.S. are relatively modest. Neighboring Uzbekistan, for instance, has double the trade volume with Washington.
While Kazakhstan may not feel immediate direct consequences, the country remains vulnerable to broader instability in global trade and falling export revenues.
