U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of tariffs on all imported goods, including those from Uzbekistan, the decision unveiled during a White House press conference.
The tariffs, set at a base rate of 10%, will apply to Uzbek goods, along with imports from several other post-Soviet nations, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
However, some countries face significantly higher levies. Goods from China will be taxed at 34%, the European Union at 20%, Switzerland at 31%, and Kazakhstan at 27%. The highest tariffs are directed at Vietnam (46%), Cambodia (49%), and Laos (48%).
Kazakhstan, the largest U.S. trade partner in Central Asia, will be particularly affected by the new tariffs. In 2024, U.S.-Kazakhstan trade stood at $3.4bn, with $1.1bn in U.S. exports to Kazakhstan and $2.3bn in imports from Kazakhstan.
Despite Kazakhstan’s significant trade ties with the U.S., other Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, face only the 10% baseline tariff, as their trade volumes with the U.S. remain relatively low.
Notably absent from the tariff list are Russia, Mexico, Iran, Canada, and Belarus. Ukraine, meanwhile, will also face the 10% baseline tariff. Moldova is an exception among post-Soviet nations, with a higher 31% rate imposed on its exports.
Additionally, Trump signed an executive order enforcing a 25% tariff on imported cars, trucks, and auto parts. He characterized the move as a “declaration of economic independence,” calling April 2 the beginning of an “American Industrial Recovery.” He dismissed requests from foreign leaders seeking tariff exemptions, insisting that these measures would restore balance to the U.S. economy.
“For decades, both friends and foes have taken advantage of the American economy,” Trump stated. “That era is over. This will be a golden age for American industry, bringing jobs and factories back home.”
The administration plans to use revenue from the tariffs—estimated in the trillions—to lower taxes and reduce national debt. The base tariffs will take effect on April 5, while country-specific rates will be enforced from April 9. Trump also warned that tariff rates could be adjusted in the future.
Uzbekistan-U.S. trade has shown significant growth over the past three years. In the first two months of 2025, trade reached $142.8mn, marking a 23.4% increase from $115.7mn in 2024. The growth is even more pronounced compared to 2023, when trade stood at $68.1mn, reflecting a 109.7% surge over two years.
