U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Kazakhstan, effective August 1, 2025. The decision was communicated in an official letter sent to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In the letter, Trump framed the move as part of broader efforts to address trade imbalances, citing a significant U.S. trade deficit with Kazakhstan.
“The strength and commitment of our trading relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Kazakhstan, despite having a significant trade deficit with your great country,” he wrote.
Trump emphasized that although both nations had years to review trade terms, the U.S. now views "long-term deficits" as a threat to national security and economic health.
President Trump added that Kazakh companies could avoid the tariff altogether by relocating their manufacturing operations to the United States. He pledged expedited support for such moves.
“In fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely — In other words, in a matter of weeks.”
Kazakhstan is among several countries targeted in this wave of tariff hikes. Similar letters were sent to the leaders of Malaysia (25% tariff), Laos (40%), South Africa (30%), Myanmar (40%), Japan (25%), and South Korea (25%).
Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country to face the maximum 25% rate. Other nations in the region—Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan—were subjected to a 10% duty on April 3.
Kazakhstan had already been designated for a 27% tariff earlier in April, when Trump announced sweeping trade measures targeting 185 countries, but implementation was delayed by 90 days.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, previously stated that U.S. duties would affect only 4.8% of the country’s exports.
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