Kazakhstan not considering retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods for now - Trade Ministry

ALMATY. April 17 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan is not currently planning to raise tariffs on goods in response to U.S. trade measures, Deputy Trade and Integration Minister Zhanel Kushukova said.

"The duties currently announced by the American side affect slightly less than 5% of our exports to the U.S. The remaining portion has not been subject to duties. For these 5%, customs duty rates have been set at 10%. Of course, these 92% [of Kazakh exports to the U.S. not affected by increased duties] are sensitive for us, but the majority of exports remain unrestricted. At this time, no considerations [to raise duties] are being discussed," Kushukova told journalists at the Kazakh parliament.

As reported, U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced retaliatory tariffs of 27% on several trade partners, including Kazakhstan. On April 9, the U.S. suspended the measure for 90 days for more than 75 countries. During this period, affected nations must pay a minimum 10% tariff.

The Kazakh government also plans to hold consultations with U.S. officials to discuss avoiding additional tariffs.

According to the Trade Ministry, the U.S. tariffs will impact only 4.8% of Kazakhstan's total exports to the U.S., primarily affecting oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys and some other goods. These categories, making up 92% of exports, are exempt under Trump's decree.

Additional tariffs are expected to apply to specific groups of goods, with exports totaling $95.2 million in 2024. These include phosphorus ($15.9 million), ferrosilicon ($12.7 million), lenses ($4.1 million), wheat gluten ($4 million) and ammonium nitrate ($2.4 million).

According to the ministry's information, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the U.S. increased 4% to $4.2 billion in 2024, with Kazakhstan's exports to the U.S. rising 30.6% to $2 billion. U.S. imports to Kazakhstan amounted to $2.2 billion.