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Why Are There No Tariffs on Russia? Trump’s Sanctions Already Crushed Their Trade

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4 months ago

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Photo Courtesy of The Times of India

Democrats have branded President Trump a Russian agent, pointing to his tariffs on U.S. allies like Canada and Europe while appearing to spare Russia. However, while Trump has not introduced new tariffs on Russia in his second term, he has extended and enforced existing trade restrictions—maintaining the punitive measures implemented during his first term and reinforced under the Biden administration.

In his first term alone, Trump imposed more than 270 sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. Combined with Biden’s later actions, these measures slashed U.S. imports from Russia to just $3 billion in 2024, down from $29 billion in 2021. Today, Russia is a trivial player in the U.S. trade picture.

Trump ranks third in total sanctions on Russia—behind Presidents Obama and Biden, but the numbers alone miss the bigger picture. Obama sanctioned Russia after Moscow invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea in 2014 on his watch. He failed to broker peace, failed to reclaim territory, and left office with Crimea still in Russian hands. Yet, no one accused him of being a Russian asset.

Biden imposed even more sanctions following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Like Obama, he failed to prevent the war, failed to reverse Russian gains, and exited office without a negotiated settlement.

Trump, by contrast, offered President Zelensky two clear paths for continued U.S. support—focused on defense in exchange for critical resources like minerals and energy—and made repeated efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. Zelensky rejected both. Democrats may not like Trump’s approach, but calling him a Russian agent ignores the facts: he tried harder than either of his predecessors to bring the war to a close.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Russia, hampered by strict export controls, fell to $526 million in 2024, leaving a modest trade deficit of $2.5 billion. This pales in comparison to the $63 billion deficit with Canada and the $236 billion deficit with the European Union, underscoring Russia’s minor role in U.S. trade imbalances.

Far from being a Kremlin stooge, Trump hammered Russia with sanctions. These struck hard and wide: in 2018, the Treasury Department froze the U.S. assets of 7 oligarchs, 12 companies they controlled, and 17 senior Putin allies, targeting election meddling and cyberattacks. The 2017 CAATSA law, signed under congressional pressure, locked in sanctions on 39 Russian defense and intelligence entities, while 273 designations hit Ukraine-related aggression and other provocations.

Trump also banned Kaspersky Labs software from U.S. government systems in 2017 over spying risks and, in 2019, sanctioned firms building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to curb Russia’s energy grip on Europe. In his 2025 term, he’s kept the heat on, adding oil and banking sanctions in March. Paired with Biden’s 2022 energy import ban, these measures have crushed U.S.-Russia trade—imports plummeted from $29 billion in 2021 to just $3 billion in 2024—showing tariffs would be overkill when sanctions have already done the job.

By contrast, Europe and Canada each account for a significant share of the U.S. trade deficit, dwarfing Russia’s impact. In 2024, the U.S. goods trade deficit with the European Union reached $235.6 billion, while Canada’s stood at $63.3 billion—together, nearly 15% of the total U.S. goods deficit of $2 trillion. These countries have long imposed higher tariffs and restrictions on U.S. imports, tilting the trade balance in their favor. For example, Germany restricts U.S. agricultural exports like beef and poultry through stringent EU sanitary and phytosanitary rules, effectively banning hormone-treated meat since 1989, and imposes a 10% tariff on U.S. cars—four times the U.S.’s 2.5% rate on German autos.

Across the EU, tariffs average 3.5% on U.S. goods, with peaks like 12% on apparel and €0.192 per liter on ethanol, plus non-tariff barriers like complex certification for machinery and tech. Canada, meanwhile, levies tariffs up to 270% on U.S. dairy under its supply management system and restricts U.S. lumber with quotas and duties, often exceeding 20%. These barriers have kept U.S. exports at bay while their goods flood American markets.

At the same time, the U.S. has shouldered Europe’s defense burden since World War II, providing roughly 70% of NATO’s total spending—peaking near 80% during the Cold War and settling at 68% ($811 billion of $1.2 trillion) in 2024, per NATO data. This security umbrella freed EU nations and Canada from hefty defense budgets, letting them channel funds into sectors like education and healthcare—Germany spends just 1.6% of GDP on defense versus the U.S.’s 3.5%, while Canada hovers at 1.4%. With the U.S. as their backstop, these allies enjoyed trade surpluses with America, bolstered by lower military overhead.

Russia’s trade relationship with the U.S. was never this lopsided: the U.S. ran a $2.5 billion deficit with Russia in 2024, but never sponsored Moscow’s national security. Unlike Europe and Canada, Russia faced U.S. sanctions, not subsidies, highlighting a stark disparity in how America’s trade and defense policies have played out.

Democrats are also labeling Trump a Russian agent for scaling back funding for Ukraine and Europe’s defense, but his motives counter that narrative. Trump’s reluctance to pour money into these efforts stems from a desire to avoid emboldening European nations into escalating tensions with Russia.

Britain and France, two NATO heavyweights, are weighing troop deployments to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire—signaled in early 2025 by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron amid ‘coalition of the willing’ talks. Such a move could drag the U.S. into a direct clash with Russia, risking a third world war with catastrophic fallout, especially for Europe. Trump believes Europe is less likely to take these gambles if they can’t count on U.S. support.

The bottom line is, he’s tired of Europe banking trade surpluses—like the EU’s $235.6 billion and Canada’s $63.3 billion trade surpluses with the U.S. in 2024—while leaning on American defense and flirting with global disaster.

The post Why Are There No Tariffs on Russia? Trump’s Sanctions Already Crushed Their Trade appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess

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22 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) has unveiled a procedural scheme to block President Donald Trump from making any critical appointments during the August recess, effectively aiding the Democrats’ obstructionist agenda.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president can make “recess appointments,” temporary appointments to federal positions, if the Senate is in recess and not conducting business. These appointments don’t require immediate Senate confirmation and can last until the end of the next session of Congress.

But there’s a loophole: if the Senate holds pro forma sessions, very short, symbolic meetings where no actual business is conducted, then technically, the Senate is still in session. That means the president cannot legally make recess appointments during that time.

John Thune has quietly secured unanimous‑consent for a paper‑thin Senate schedule through the Trump appointee confirmation deadline, ensuring only pro forma sessions on five key dates in early August.

Under the agreement, the chamber will adjourn after today’s business and reconvene without conducting any votes or business on:

  • Tue, Aug 5 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 8 – 1:05 p.m.
  • Tue, Aug 12 – 8:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 15 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 19 – 10:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 22 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 26 – 12:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 29 – 7:00 a.m.

WATCH:

Thune’s pro forma blueprint comes amid mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who has demanded the Senate remain open until all 150+ administration nominees are confirmed.

Under the Recess Appointments Clause, a president may only install nominees without Senate approval if both chambers are in formal recess for at least 10 days. By convening the Senate just long enough every few days, Thune blocks the possibility of Trump making unilateral appointees.

The Senate went into its August recess without confirming all of Trump’s pending judicial and district‑level appointments.

By the time lawmakers left town on Saturday evening, no deal had been reached to move dozens of Trump’s nominees, including U.S. district court picks, through final floor votes.

Only a small handful of nominees (such as Jeanine Pirro to be U.S. Attorney in D.C.) had advanced. Otherwise, nominees remained stalled in committees or waiting for cloture roll‑calls on the executive calendar.

Roughly 150–160 executive and judicial nominations, including over a dozen district court judges and U.S. attorney nominations, remained scheduled but unconfirmed.

The post GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road

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22 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that there have been about 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English taken off the roads as part of a push to ensure foreign truck drivers are not causing accidents.

Back in 2016, the Obama administration stopped enforcing English proficiency requirements for truckers, according to a report from The Daily Signal.

But in May, Duffy issued a guidance making clear that truck drivers who cannot demonstrate a proficiency in English cannot drive.

The 1,500 drivers were taken off the roads within the first 3o days of the rules once more being enforced, according to The Daily Signal.

“Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!” Duffy posted on X.

“If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger the driving public.”

He added, “America First = Safety First.”

Duffy’s concerns were far from unfounded.

In January, there was a truck driver involved in a fatal crash that had to use a language interpreter for the post-crash investigation, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Another incident from 2019 involved a truck driver who could not proficiently speak English speeding through signs that warned of steep grades and dangerous curves, all at more than 100 miles per hour.

Four people died in that crash, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President Donald Trump had likewise insisted with an April executive order that the move centered on public safety.

“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said of truck drivers.

They also “need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” a position the order called “common sense.”

“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” the notice added.

“This order will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

The post ‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict

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22 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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via Wikimedia Commons

Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo on Israel, banning the export, import, and transit of weapons to and from the country.

This decision was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government session on July 31, 2025.

Slovenia claims to be the first European Union member to take such a step, citing the EU’s inability to act due to internal disagreements.

The government stated that no permits for military exports to Israel have been issued since October 2023, when the conflict in Gaza began.

Officials emphasized that the embargo is an independent measure to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Slovenia has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased aid deliveries to the region.

In early July 2025, Slovenia declared two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, persona non grata, barring them from entry.

This action was based on their public statements regarding the conflict. Earlier, in June 2024, Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood, joining countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain in this move.

The conflict in Gaza started after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of hostages.

Israel responded with a military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure. Reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicate significant casualties, with ongoing international efforts to negotiate truces and provide aid.

Several other nations have taken similar diplomatic steps, including France, Britain, and Canada announcing potential recognition of a Palestinian state. Australia has also indicated that recognizing Palestinian statehood is under consideration.

Israel has criticized these declarations, arguing they could reward Hamas for its actions.

Israeli officials dismissed Slovenia’s embargo as insignificant, noting that Israel does not procure any defense materials from Slovenia.

An unnamed official stated that the country buys nothing from Slovenia, not even minor items.

Within the EU, there is growing pressure for measures against Israel, with Sweden and the Netherlands advocating for suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The European Commission has proposed limiting Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program, though Germany opposes such steps.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed concerns about Israel’s potential diplomatic isolation during a visit to Jerusalem.

The United States remains a key ally to Israel, with President Donald Trump warning that recognizing Palestinian statehood might benefit Hamas.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance Gaza truce talks. These efforts aim to address the humanitarian crisis and secure a ceasefire.

The post Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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