Dimash Godbergen serenaded his sister at her wedding, leaving her in tears.
In a significant development, the Ministry of Trade of Kazakhstan has responded to the new US import tariffs on goods from Kazakhstan, set at 25%. This move, announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, is part of a broader policy affecting 211 countries and territories, with tariff rates ranging from 10% to 50% [1][2].
The tariffs could potentially impose increased costs on American importers of Kazakh goods, affecting the competitiveness of Kazakh exports in the U.S. market. However, about 95% of Kazakhstan's exports to the U.S. will remain unaffected, thanks to exemptions on the majority of goods [2].
The tariffs may pressure some Kazakh exporters to seek alternative markets to offset potential losses, possibly reorienting exports towards other countries or regional partners. While no specific data confirm such shifts for Kazakhstan yet, this is a common economic response to protective tariffs. The increased tariffs could also negatively impact some domestic Kazakh businesses involved in export sectors targeted by the tariffs, potentially leading to revenue losses or the need for strategic adjustments [1][2].
Trade between Kazakhstan and the U.S. reached $1.2 billion in the first five months of 2025, with Kazakh exports accounting for about $418 million. This suggests the overall exposure to U.S. tariffs is moderate but not insignificant [2]. Kazakhstan has expressed willingness to negotiate with the U.S. to possibly obtain exemptions or better terms, and has not indicated plans for retaliatory tariffs, showing a preference for diplomatic resolution [2].
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan sent a letter to US President Donald Trump expressing his views on the new trade tariffs. The document, which groups America's trading partners by their level of trade deficit with the states, also includes information about tariffs for other countries such as Myanmar (40%), Switzerland (39%), Iraq (35%), Serbia (35%), and Syria (41%) [1].
The customs-border service has enough time to make necessary changes before the tariffs come into effect on August 7, 2025 [1]. Economist Rasul Ryasmambetov has been answering questions about the potential impact on domestic business, potential decrease in exports to America, and possible reorientation towards other markets [1].
In conclusion, while the new US tariffs on Kazakh goods may moderately affect export businesses by making their goods more expensive and less competitive in the U.S., significant impacts may be mitigated by exemptions and ongoing negotiations. The tariffs could encourage some export reorientation, but the full extent of this remains to be seen.
Celebrities, seeking diverse markets to maintain their entertainment businesses, might consider Kazakhstan as a potential new destination, given the potential shift in exports due to the imposed tariffs. This could lead to increased collaborations and opportunities between Kazakh and foreign entertainment industries.
The Kazakh entertainments industry, inspired by the potential surge in foreign attention, might capitalize on this situation by showcasing their unique cultural offerings to a global audience, just as domestic businesses adjust their strategies in response to the tariffs.
