Trump Imposes 10% Tariff on Armenia as Part of New Trade Policy

President Donald Trump has announced a new set of tariffs affecting nearly every country that trades with the United States. Among these measures, a 10% tariff will be applied to goods from Armenia. This decision is part of Trump’s broader strategy to address trade imbalances and protect American industries.

On April 2, Trump revealed the tariffs in an executive order and an address in the White House’s Rose Garden. He emphasized that the United States has long faced unfair trade practices from its partners. According to Trump, these new tariffs are meant to counteract those disparities by imposing duties that reflect what other countries charge the U.S.

“For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump stated. He argued that the U.S. has historically imposed lower tariffs than its trading partners and that this new policy seeks to balance the scales.

The 10% tariff on Armenian goods aligns with the rates imposed on several former Soviet Union countries, including Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and others. However, Moldova faces the highest tariff among these nations at 31%, followed by Kazakhstan at 27%. Notably, Russia was not included in this tariff list.

Trump displayed a chart showing how these tariffs compare to what other countries charge the U.S. While the new U.S. tariffs are not fully reciprocal, they are designed to be about half the rates that these countries impose on American imports.

The U.S. trade deficit in 2023 stood at $1.1 trillion, the highest of any country. Trump’s administration argues that these tariffs will reduce this deficit and encourage domestic production. However, critics warn that such measures could strain relations with trading partners and lead to retaliatory tariffs.

One significant aspect of Trump’s executive order is the closure of the “de minimis” loophole, which previously allowed low-value Chinese goods to enter the U.S. duty-free. This change, along with the broader tariff policy, signals a more protectionist approach to global trade.

The new tariffs will take effect on April 9. While Armenia and other affected nations have not yet responded officially, businesses and trade organizations are expected to evaluate the potential impact. Some experts predict that the tariffs could lead to price increases on imported goods and adjustments in supply chains.