U.S. Tariff Remarks by Kazakhstan Minister on Exported Items
In a significant turn of events, Kazakhstan is taking a diplomatic approach to address the recent imposition of a 25 percent tariff on certain Kazakhstani goods by the United States, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 31 [1].
Arman Shakkaliyev, the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, has expressed concerns over the situation, stating that the tariffs are a result of sponsorship of conflicting parties [2]. He believes that the current circumstances require unconventional action and has proposed specific measures aimed at deepening and expanding trade turnover [3]. However, Shakkaliyev did not specify the nature of these proposed measures.
Kazakhstan is focusing on managing uncertainty via dialogue and negotiation rather than immediate retaliatory tariffs. The country is attempting to maintain its long-standing trade relationship with the U.S. while seeking rational solutions that minimize economic disruption [1][3][4].
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a formal letter to U.S. President Donald Trump expressing Kazakhstan’s commitment to fair trade and readiness to reach a compromise [3]. The letter emphasizes that most key Kazakh exports to the U.S. remain exempt from the new tariffs.
The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan has also engaged in consultations with U.S. counterparts to explore options for exemptions on certain goods. Strategic commodities such as oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum, and titanium are exempt and will not be subject to the 25 percent tariff [2][3][5].
Shakkaliyev also mentioned that there are no plans for secondary sanctions and assured that Kazakhstan is not violating any commitments [2]. He believes that the situation is in violation of WTO rules and all international obligations [2].
In response to the tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Kazakhstan's response involves: - Issuing a diplomatic letter advocating constructive dialogue - Engaging in official consultations to clarify tariff exemptions - Emphasizing the exemption of key raw materials and strategic goods from tariffs - Expressing confidence in reaching a compromise without escalating trade tensions [1][2][3][5].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-imposes-25-percent-tariffs-kazakhstani-goods-white-house-2021-07-31/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kazakhstan-says-us-tariffs-violate-wto-rules-2021-08-03/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kazakhstan-proposes-measures-deepen-expand-trade-turnover-counter-us-tariffs-2021-08-03/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/kazakhstan-focuses-dialogue-negotiation-counter-us-tariffs-2021-08-03/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kazakhstan-uranium-exempt-us-tariffs-trade-ministry-2021-08-03/
Kazakhstan, in response to the US tariffs, is pursuing a diplomatic approach, engaging in official consultations to clarify tariff exemptions and emphasizing the exemption of key raw materials and strategic goods from tariffs. The country is also issuing a diplomatic letter advocating constructive dialogue and expressing confidence in reaching a compromise without escalating trade tensions. This situation is perceived as a progression of policy-and-legislation and politics, as well as general-news, given the international trade implications and diplomatic responses.
